Two millage proposals approved by voters

Two St. Joseph County school districts were given a green light by their respective voters Tuesday, as ballot requests in White Pigeon and Sturgis school districts were successful.

Unofficial results show White Pigeon’s request for renewal of 1 mill – originally approved in 2014 – passed with little room to spare, 263 yes votes to 254 opposed.

White Pigeon Community Schools will be able to count on $1.6 million over the next five years to be dedicated toward buses, equipment, security and technology.

Meanwhile, voters in Sturgis also endorsed a request, this one seeking one and three-quarters of a mill. The proposal was approved 591 yes votes to 509 against the measure.

Meanwhile, Sturgis’ request, a 10-year building and site sinking-fund proposal, will generate $722,500 annually.

Projects planned for the building and site sinking fund include replacing 25-year old Eastwood School’s shingle roof with a long-lasting metal roof, replacing one of the boilers at Sturgis High School, and phasing out student iPads and introducing Chromebook computers at Sturgis High School.