County Election Results

Newaygo passes bond, Grant recall falls short

Newaygo
The community gave a strong message of support to Newaygo Public Schools passing their bond proposal with 63% of voters supporting the school’s request.

Newaygo Superintendent Ben Gilpin:
“With profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation, Newaygo Public Schools extend our sincerest thanks to the voters who recognized the importance of investing in the education and well-being of our students. This resounding endorsement of our vision reaffirms our collective commitment to providing exceptional learning environments and opportunities for generations to come.
“The passing of this bond is a testament to the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
“This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of countless individuals who dedicated their time, energy, and resources to advocating for Newaygo Public Schools. From parents and teachers to community leaders and volunteers, each played an invaluable role.
“As we embark on this journey to enhance and modernize our facilities, we do so with a profound sense of responsibility and stewardship. Every dollar entrusted to us will be invested wisely, ensuring that our schools remain safe, innovative, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of our students and staff.
“Newaygo Public Schools pledge to remain transparent every step of the way. A few of the major projects include: HS and MS roof, Mechanical and Electrical infrastructure, HVAC systems, Safety and Security enhancements, HS track, HS gymnasium floor, flexible furniture, and technology upgrades.
“In closing, Newaygo Public Schools once again expresses our deepest gratitude to the voters for their overwhelming support and confidence in our mission. With your continued partnership, we look forward to shaping a brighter future for our students, our schools, and our community.”

Grant
In a contentious race that included a letter to the community from a sitting board member supporting the recall candidates and a homophobic mailing put out by advocates for the incumbents the current board members kept their seats by a slim margin.
This was an election that significantly divided the county’s gateway city with scathing social media postings, heated school board meetings and deep-seated resentments coming to the surface throughout the district and beyond.
With 29% of voters going to the polls, incumbents Richard Vance (53%)  and Rachal Gort (54%) outpolled their challengers Lindsay Mahlich and Mindy Conley. Vance and Gort will be up for reelection again in November.

The next trip to the polls will be the August 7th primary election with several contested races for county seats

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