By Bruce Rolfe
A larger voter turnout in the May 5 Galesburg-Augusta School district bond proposal election compared to a similar proposal that was defeated last November yielded more yes votes, helping flip the result for the local school district.
The similar proposal that was defeated last November by over 100 votes (836-731), was approved by Galesburg-Augusta School District voters May 5, 964-880.
The proposal was defeated in three of the five voting precincts May 5, instead of four of five precincts last November. An increase in voter turnout that yielded 233 more yes votes overall, proved to be a key.
There were only 44 more no votes May 5 compared to last November when the proposal was defeated by 105 votes.
There was a noteworthy spike in registered voters in 2026, bringing more yes votes.
According to the Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds website, 1567 votes were cast, or 25.3 percent of the 6,176 registered voters in 2025.
However in the May 5 election 1844 votes were cast, or 22.5 percent of the registered voters.
There was an increase in yes votes in all five voting precincts.
The proposal passed in the City of Galesburg and Comstock Charter Township voting precincts.
In the City of Galesburg precinct 1 an increase of 91 voters brought 70 more yes votes compared to last November.
In Comstock Charter Township there was an increase of 105 voters that secured 55 more yes votes compared to last November;
In Charleston Township there were 38 more voters and 47 more yes votes compared to last November; in the Township of Pavilion Charter Precinct 2 there was one more voter but an increase of five yes votes compared to last November; and in Ross Township Precinct 1 there was an increase of 42 voters that brought 31 more yes votes.
G-A Superintendent Dr. Lindsey Newton attributes the proposal passing in the City of Galesburg and Comstock Township and a closer margin in Charleston Township to the district’s effort with communication, canvassing, videos and mailers.
“Knowing we can now address critical roof issues, HVAC needs, safety improvements, and infrastructure updates is comforting and addresses our needs. Thank you for voting,” said Newton.
Newton said while it’s pleasing the proposal passed after a similar bond proposal was defeated last November, the school district recognizes 880 members of the school district had concerns or reservations, “and those voices matter.”
The approved May 5 bond proposal will provide $11,240,000 in improvements at all three of the district’s school buildings and for a new transportation facility.
2026 Bond Improvement Projects
G-A Primary School
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Chiller replacement for more efficient air conditioning throughout the building.
Replace building temperature control systems for better control of mechanical systems and monitoring energy use.
Emergency lighting upgrades.
G-A Middle School
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Chiller replacement for more efficient air conditioning throughout the building.
Galesburg-Augusta High School
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Replacement of main entry doors, frames, and hardware for better building security.
Cooling tower replacement for more efficient air conditioning.
Transportation Facility
Construct new transportation facility to address functional issues of the current facility.
New parking lots and drives to support the new facility.
The school district said the transportation facility was built in 1953.
Newton said the district will begin working with district Architect/Engineer, TowerPinkster, and Construction Management team, Elite Companies, to begin project planning. She said at this time, no final location decision for the new transportation facility has been made, as additional work must occur regarding EGLE permits and site assessments by the district’s Architect/Engineer and Construction Management team.
Newton said the community will begin to see updates within the next month in regards to the planning process. She adds infrastructure work could begin within the next year.
The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 16 years.
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 1.00 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.
The millage rate will be replacing expiring debts, so residents wouldn’t see a net increase in their tax rate.
Instead of the levy dropping off, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy said the proposal authorizes new debts and the debts would be paid off with new property taxes. The property taxes would continue to be levied until the debts are paid.
A county-wide KRESA special education renewal and restoration proposal that authorizes a millage rate of 1.4862 mills for five years (2027-2032) was approved 24,972-12,857.
A larger voter turnout in the May 5 Galesburg-Augusta School district bond proposal election compared to a similar proposal that was defeated last November yielded more yes votes, helping flip the result for the local school district.
The similar proposal that was defeated last November by over 100 votes (836-731), was approved by Galesburg-Augusta School District voters May 5, 964-880.
The proposal was defeated in three of the five voting precincts May 5, instead of four of five precincts last November. An increase in voter turnout that yielded 233 more yes votes overall, proved to be a key.
There were only 44 more no votes May 5 compared to last November when the proposal was defeated by 105 votes.
There was a noteworthy spike in registered voters in 2026, bringing more yes votes.
According to the Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds website, 1567 votes were cast, or 25.3 percent of the 6,176 registered voters in 2025.
However in the May 5 election 1844 votes were cast, or 22.5 percent of the registered voters.
There was an increase in yes votes in all five voting precincts.
The proposal passed in the City of Galesburg and Comstock Charter Township voting precincts.
In the City of Galesburg precinct 1 an increase of 91 voters brought 70 more yes votes compared to last November.
In Comstock Charter Township there was an increase of 105 voters that secured 55 more yes votes compared to last November;
In Charleston Township there were 38 more voters and 47 more yes votes compared to last November; in the Township of Pavilion Charter Precinct 2 there was one more voter but an increase of five yes votes compared to last November; and in Ross Township Precinct 1 there was an increase of 42 voters that brought 31 more yes votes.
G-A Superintendent Dr. Lindsey Newton attributes the proposal passing in the City of Galesburg and Comstock Township and a closer margin in Charleston Township to the district’s effort with communication, canvassing, videos and mailers.
“Knowing we can now address critical roof issues, HVAC needs, safety improvements, and infrastructure updates is comforting and addresses our needs. Thank you for voting,” said Newton.
Newton said while it’s pleasing the proposal passed after a similar bond proposal was defeated last November, the school district recognizes 880 members of the school district had concerns or reservations, “and those voices matter.”
The approved May 5 bond proposal will provide $11,240,000 in improvements at all three of the district’s school buildings and for a new transportation facility.
2026 Bond Improvement Projects
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Chiller replacement for more efficient air conditioning throughout the building.
Replace building temperature control systems for better control of mechanical systems and monitoring energy use.
Emergency lighting upgrades.
G-A Middle School
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Chiller replacement for more efficient air conditioning throughout the building.
Galesburg-Augusta High School
Replacement of select areas of roofing.
Replacement of main entry doors, frames, and hardware for better building security.
Cooling tower replacement for more efficient air conditioning.
Transportation Facility
Construct new transportation facility to address functional issues of the current facility.
New parking lots and drives to support the new facility.
The school district said the transportation facility was built in 1953.
Newton said the district will begin working with district Architect/Engineer, TowerPinkster, and Construction Management team, Elite Companies, to begin project planning. She said at this time, no final location decision for the new transportation facility has been made, as additional work must occur regarding EGLE permits and site assessments by the district’s Architect/Engineer and Construction Management team.
Newton said the community will begin to see updates within the next month in regards to the planning process. She adds infrastructure work could begin within the next year.
The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 16 years.
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 is 1.00 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.
The millage rate will be replacing expiring debts, so residents wouldn’t see a net increase in their tax rate.
Instead of the levy dropping off, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy said the proposal authorizes new debts and the debts would be paid off with new property taxes. The property taxes would continue to be levied until the debts are paid.
A county-wide KRESA special education renewal and restoration proposal that authorizes a millage rate of 1.4862 mills for five years (2027-2032) was approved 24,972-12,857.
