LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The majority of Michigan school district bond proposals were rejected by voters on Tuesday, according to an analysis done by Michigan News Source.
There were 40 school bond proposals up for vote on Tuesday that were reviewed from media reports as well as the state of Michigan Treasury website. Twenty-two of the bond proposals were rejected and 18 passed.
There has been a trend for more and more school bonds to be rejected by voters, raising the question if there is a voter fatigue with school funding. Michigan’s K-12 schools received $5.6 billion in COVID-19 pandemic federal funding since 2020.
In 2018 and 2019, 70% of the 111 school bond proposals were approved, according to a review of the bond votes posted on the state Treasury website.
However, in 2024 there were 42 school bonds that were rejected and 41 passed, meaning the majority of school bonds failed.
“This isn’t just a blip—it reflects growing frustration from parents and residents who are tired of being asked for more money while Michigan schools continue to decline in academic performance and fail to deliver the education our kids deserve,” said Meghan Reckling, a Republican activist, on X.