Tuesday election results

Registered voters in Sturgis, Colon, Coldwater and Vicksburg school districts went to the polls Tuesday to determine the fate of millage-related ballot questions.

In Sturgis, voters turned down a request for a $98 million proposal. The request sought approval for a variety of school improvements, including a new aquatic center, refurbishing all 116 bathrooms in the district and roof replacements. Other tasks identified by the district included updating the district’s athletic facilities, and installing turf at the football, baseball and softball fields totals $11.4 million.

Unofficial voting numbers show the request failed by a vote of 1,501 to 1,277, or 54 to 46 percent.

In Colon, its registered voters agreed to continue the district’s sinking-fund millage for an additional eight years. Results show the request passed by a 3-2 margin, including a successful result in Branch County’s portion of the district, as well.

School officials said the sinking fund – initially OK’d in 2019 – supports long-term building repairs, renovations and safety improvements.

Passage of the request means the district’s current millage rate of 1.2906 mills will be renewed. As a result, the district will generate nearly $330,000 in 2026 and $2 million in total revenue through 2034, according to superintendent Richard Hilderley.

High-priority needs include roof repairs, fencing replacement, lighting upgrades and parking-lot improvements.

In Branch County, Coldwater Community Schools district officials will have to go back to the proverbial drawing board, as a $64 million bond proposal focused on modernizing the nearly 70-year-old Coldwater High School failed.

According to unofficial results, the issue was defeated 2,104 no votes to 1,677 yes votes.

Vicksburg Community Schools, meanwhile, received support for a $64.1 million bond.

A millage rate of 3.83 mills will replace mills that are expiring. As a result, voters will not see a net increase in their tax rate, according to assistant superintendent Steve Goss.

The vote was 1,714 in favor and 1,345 opposed.