School bond referendum set for Sept. 16

The Sparta Township Public Schools plan to hold a bond referendum Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Voters will decide whether to finance improvements in the infrastructure of the district’s five schools.

Preliminary information is available online at sparta.org/vote

“Our schools are an important part of the Sparta community - people move here for the schools and the small-community feel,” said Superintendent Matthew Beck.

“This bond referendum would help us improve our schools to give our current and future students a place they can thrive academically and socially.”

Among the proposed improvements:

- An addition to Alpine Elementary School to relieve overcrowding and eliminate the need for trailers as classrooms.

- Improvements to Sparta High School science labs as well as upgrades of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and electrical systems and roofing and window replacements.

The referendum coincides with the final debt payments from a previous referendum.

The planned projects are under review by the state Department of Education.

Board of Education president Kaitlin Gagnon said, “In partnership with administration and the Sparta community, we are proud to present a long-awaited solution that offers necessary improvements across all five school buildings in our district.

“This united effort will deliver essential upgrades and reliable infrastructure that will support Sparta students, staff and the community we proudly serve for years to come.”

The district also will hold an online forum Aug. 12 and an in-person forum Sept. 9 to provide information on the referendum.