Investing in Safe, Modern Learning Environments

A bond measure is a voter-approved funding tool that allows a school district to borrow money for major capital projects. These funds can be used for facility improvements, building system replacements, site improvements, and instructional technology. Unlike operational funding, which supports day-to-day expenses such as staffing, utilities, and classroom supplies, bond funding is used for long-term investments in school facilities and infrastructure.

Many CLK school facilities have served students and the community for decades. While the district has worked to maintain its buildings, many major systems are aging and need significant upgrades or replacement. These needs include heating systems, boilers, piping, ventilation systems, restrooms, locker rooms, windows, masonry, concrete, parking areas, public address systems, and instructional technology. Addressing these needs through a planned bond proposal would allow the district to make targeted improvements across all schools while avoiding the higher costs that can come with emergency repairs or continued deterioration.

If approved by voters, the bond would support facility and technology improvements across CLK Schools, including: Heating system, boiler, piping, and control replacements Air handling and ventilation upgrades Restroom and locker room renovations Window, masonry, concrete, and exterior repairs Locker replacements Public address system upgrades Parking lot resurfacing and restriping at Calumet High School Instructional technology, including computers, classroom displays, networking equipment, and related tools These projects are focused on improving safety, comfort, efficiency, and learning environments for students and staff.

The proposed bond measure would support improvements at CLK Elementary School, Washington Middle School, Calumet High School, and Horizons Alternative High School. Each school would receive targeted improvements based on its facility needs.

Proposed projects at CLK Elementary School would include: Replacing outdated heating systems, piping, and controls with modern, energy-efficient equipment Upgrading restrooms, including toilet partitions and fixtures Improving ventilation in key areas such as bathrooms and locker rooms Providing updated instructional technology for classrooms Proposed projects at Washington Middle School would include: Replacing heating systems, boilers, and ventilation systems throughout the building Renovating restrooms and locker rooms with updated fixtures, finishes, and layouts Replacing aging lockers Installing a new public address system Addressing exterior needs, including windows, masonry and concrete repairs Upgrading instructional technology to support teaching and learningReplacing heating and ventilation systems, along with necessary electrical upgrades Proposed projects at Calumet High School would include: Renovating locker rooms and restrooms with updated fixtures and finishes Replacing aging lockers Installing a new public address system Addressing exterior needs, including windows, masonry and concrete repairs Improving parking areas through resurfacing and restriping to enhance safety and traffic flow Providing updated instructional technology for students and staff Proposed projects at Horizons Alternative High School would include: Replacing outdated room heating units to improve comfort and efficiency Providing updated instructional technology to support student learning Across all schools, the bond would also support districtwide investments in instructional technology, including computers, classroom displays, networking equipment, and other tools that enhance instruction and help prepare students for the future.

The proposed bond measure would not exceed $21.85 million. It has been structured to result in a zero mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. An approved bond would not lead to a property tax increase for district residents. The estimated millage in 2027 is 5 mills, or $5 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

No. The bond is structured to result in a zero mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. This means an approved bond measure would not lead to a property tax increase for district residents.

A zero mill net increase means the district will complete the proposed bond projects without increasing the property tax rate over the prior year’s levy. In other words, the district has structured the proposal so that the bond can be issued while maintaining a stable tax rate for residents.

Many of our facilities rely on essential building systems—such as heating, ventilation, plumbing, windows, and structural components—that are reaching the end of their useful life. As these systems age, they become less reliable and more costly to maintain. Investing now allows the district to take a proactive approach—addressing critical needs efficiently, avoiding more expensive emergency repairs, and extending the life of our school buildings for years to come.

No. The district does not anticipate borrowing from the state to repay the bonds.

The proposed improvements would help create safer, more comfortable, and more effective learning environments. Updated heating and ventilation systems would improve comfort and building performance. Restroom and locker room renovations would improve functionality and accessibility. Exterior repairs would help protect school buildings, and updated technology would support instruction in classrooms. Together, these improvements would help ensure CLK Schools can continue serving students, staff, families, and the broader community for years to come.

Several of the district’s heating systems are outdated, inefficient, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The wood boiler was installed in 1990. At the time, wood chips were a cost-effective fuel source. Today, however, wood chips are more expensive than natural gas, making the system less efficient and less practical to continue operating. The district’s main natural gas boilers were installed in 1970 and have caused ongoing issues, including blown steam lines and significant repair costs. This year, the heating system stopped working twice, causing the district to lose heat over a weekend. In one instance, a blown steam line resulted in major repair costs. The resulting steam damaged a mechanical room, costing the district thousands of dollars in additional repairs. The current steam heating system is also difficult to control. In some cases, certain rooms may be too warm while others remain too cold, creating inconsistent and uncomfortable learning environments. Replacing these systems would improve comfort, reliability, and efficiency across district buildings.

Many school windows are aging, drafty, and no longer functioning as intended. Some windows leak, allowing water to get behind the exterior brick. Over time, this contributes to crumbling brick and mortar, creating additional maintenance concerns and potential repair costs. Many windows also do not open and close properly, while others allow drafts that affect comfort and energy efficiency. Replacing aging windows would help protect school buildings, improve energy efficiency, reduce drafts, and support more comfortable learning environments.

Many of the district’s lockers were installed in the 1980s and are now failing. A number of lockers no longer work properly, and many can no longer be repaired. Because students use lockers throughout the school year, reliable and functional lockers are an important part of the daily school environment. Replacing aging lockers would improve functionality, reduce maintenance issues, and provide students with secure and dependable storage during the school day.

The district’s locker rooms were last remodeled in 1986 and are used by students on a daily basis. After decades of use, many lockers are failing, tile is cracking, and ventilation needs to be improved. These spaces are important for physical education classes, athletics, and other student activities.

Instructional technology is an important part of a modern learning environment. Across all schools, the bond would support districtwide investments in instructional technology, including computers, classroom displays, and networking equipment, along with other tools that enhance instruction and help prepare students for the future. These investments would help ensure students and staff have access to reliable, up-to-date technology that supports teaching, learning, and future readiness.

If the bond measure is approved, CLK Schools would move forward with the proposed facility and technology improvements. The district anticipates issuing bonds in May 2027, with construction completed by August 2029. Projects would be completed across the district and would focus on replacing aging systems, improving building performance, upgrading learning spaces, and addressing long-standing facility needs.

If the bond measure is not approved, the district would not be able to move forward with the proposed projects as planned. Aging systems and facility needs would still remain, and maintenance costs would likely continue to rise over time. The district would need to continue addressing repairs through available resources, which could limit the ability to complete larger, more comprehensive improvements.

Election day is Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information is available at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/.

District residents can find their polling location for Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by searching with their home address.

Yes, voters may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. However, you must be registered before you can request an absentee ballot.  If you are registered, you can request an absentee ballot by visiting https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index.  Your completed absentee ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. You can submit by mail, or by hand-delivering the ballot to your clerk’s office or their secure drop box. If you are returning your ballot within two weeks of election day, it’s recommended that voters hand-deliver their ballot. Additional information about absentee voting is available at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/VoteAtHome.

Eligible voters can register up to election day, and can even register at the polls.  The deadline to register in advance of election day is July 31, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you can still register at the polls on election day itself.  To learn more about registering to vote, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/RegisterToVote/.

The August 4 election provided an opportunity to save costs for the district.  Holding the election in August also provides the district with additional time for planning. If the bond measure is approved, the district can continue moving forward with the proposed project timeline. If it is not approved, the district would have time to evaluate next steps, continue gathering community feedback, and determine whether to bring a revised proposal back to voters at a future election.

Voters will see the following question on their ballots on Tuesday, August 4, 2026: Shall the Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium and Keweenaw, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-One Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($21,850,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of: remodeling, including the replacement and upgrade of heating systems, air handling and ventilation systems, building infrastructure improvements, and exterior windows, of school buildings; equipping and installing instructional technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; and developing and improving a parking area and site?