GLADSTONE — Voters who live within the Gladstone Area Schools district will have a chance to vote today on the future of two bond millage proposals that would support additions at buildings within the district.

The first proposal on the ballot asks residents to support the district borrowing $16.9 million and issuing bonds for the erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including for school security; acquiring and installing instructional technology; and equipping, preparing, developing, and improving playgrounds and sites. If approved, the district would initially levy would initially levy 4.96 mills ($4.96 on each $1,000 of taxable value), however the district anticipates the average annual millage rate will be 4.08 mills ($4.08 per $1,000 of taxable value) over the 14 year bond repayment period.

The ballot language itself does not specify the scope of the planned improvements at Gladstone Area Schools. The district has told the Daily Press the funds will be used for interior and exterior improvements, including the modernization of safety, security and fire suppression systems at all schools; roof repair; upgrades to lighting, plumbing, heating and cooling; the replacement of worn furnishings and lockers; new ADA-compliant playground equipment; new sidewalks; and improvements to parking lots with an emphasis on safe traffic flow. Also included in the plan is four new classrooms at Cameron Elementary so the district can provide Great Start Readiness Program early childhood education classes for four-year-olds and a multi-purpose room.

The second proposal asks residents to support the district borrowing $4.8 million and issue bonds to erecting, furnishing, and equipping a

multi-purpose facility addition to the high school. This district says the addition would allow high school-level extra curriculars to vacate space at the middle school and allow for the district to use the middle school space for trade education and wood shop.

If approved, the second proposal would initially levy 1.27 mills ($1.27 per $1,000 of taxable value). The estimated average annual millage rate for the bond proposal would be 1.16 mills ($1.16 per $1,000 of taxable value), over the 14 year bond repayment period.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following precinct locations:

CITY OF GLADSTONE

Precinct 1 — Gladstone City Hall, 1100 Delta Avenue

Precinct 2 — Gladstone Sports Park, 900 North Bluff Drive

BRAMPTON TOWNSHIP

Precinct 1 — Brampton Township Hall (Kipling), 9019 Bay Shore Drive

ESCANABA TOWNSHIP

Precinct 1 — Escanaba Township Besse Fire Station #2, 8189 P.5 Road

Precinct 2 — Escanaba Township Hall, 4618 Co. 416 20th Road