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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
PENTWATER — The Pentwater Public Schools district is asking voters to approve a $7.59 million bond for student safety and security, technology upgrades, energy efficiency and improvements to building furnishings.
The bond proposal is on the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election ballot.
The school district had a similar proposal on the May 7 ballot that failed by just five votes — 509-504 — which was the third proposal rejected by voters in the last four years. Voters turned down two previous proposals in 2021 and 2022.
The key component to the proposal is constructing a secure entryway vestibule, along with a new fire alarm system, security system and adding exterior site lighting at the entrance, parking lot and drop-off area. The new entryway will funnel visitors to the office instead of visitors potentially having access to the entire school when they walk in the building.
Pentwater Public Schools Superintendent/Principal Craig Barter
The proposal includes replacing the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems as well as a partial roof replacement. “In the last two weeks, we’ve had general maintenance on our boiler system, and there is a crack in the system which can create huge problems going forward,” said Pentwater Superintendent/Principal Craig Barter, who took over the superintendent position after the retirement of Scott Karaptian last July. A boiler system normally has a 20-year life span, said Barter, and Pentwater’s boiler is in its 21st year.
The partial roof replacement will eliminate leaks and ceiling tile damage that have plagued the school, including leaks in the library that have destroyed books. “Our library has buckets in it,” said Barter.
If voters approve the proposal, the project will be completed in 2027.
“We’re not adding any new construction,” said Barter, stressing that it’s a “bare bones” proposal.
It is estimated that the proposal will result in a 1.18 mill increase over the current rate. “By the time this will come into play, the existing millage will be at .75. So combined it will be 1.93 mills for the first five years, and then it starts to decrease.” The length of the proposed bond is 17 years.
For a Pentwater homeowner with a $270,000 market value home, the estimated tax bill impact for the first year will cost approximately $159.30 or $13.28 per month. “Right now, they’re about $8 a month with the same market value. Together, it will be $21.71, and then it goes down.
“It’s maintenance of the building, upkeep and making sure our students are comfortable — both temperature-wise and what they’re sitting in — and safety and security.”
Barter is hopeful the bond will pass this time. “There was a good amount of people in the community who were upset that it didn’t pass before, and we’ve done a lot of good work to spread the word.”
The new school leader is a Pentwater native. He attended Pentwater schools through seventh grade and graduated from Ludington High School in 2000. The three-sport athlete transferred to Ludington so he could play football — a program not offered at Pentwater. He is a Michigan State University graduate. Barter taught elementary special education in Florida for 18 years. His family — which includes wife Cathy Jo, daughter Amelia and son Anderson — returned to Pentwater last year when he was hired as the assistant principal. Barter’s children are Pentwater students. His parents Harry and Marsha Barter taught at the small school district, which currently has an enrollment of 228 students.
For more detailed information about the bond proposal, visit https://www.pentwaterschools.net/page/bond.
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