Voters OK Northville Schools’ Renewal Millage By Wide Margin

Northville School Board members reacted enthusiastically when it learned voters approved a by a wide margin – 70 percent of Northville's total vote – at its regular Tuesday night meeting.

The millage, which is levied on second homes, non-primary residences and commercial properties, will ensure that $8.2 million in funding is secured for the school’s general fund.

Because the millage is a renewal and not a new tax, board members were sure the measure would be approved, said Board President Joan Wadsworth.

“We figured it would pass but we never take it for granted,” she said. “We’re always nervous about it until we hear that it is approved.”

According to unofficial tallies, 3,791 city and township residents voted in favor of the renewal, while 1,196 opposed the levy. That amounts to a total of about 70 percent of Northville residents in the city and township approving the millage renewal and about 30 percent opposing it.

This does not include precincts outside of the Northville city and township.

Northville Patch received several letters to the editor in support of the millage renewal, .

Additionally, two new school board candidates, and , ran for two unopposed 4-year terms on the school board. When the votes were counted, Craig received 3,562 and Bartschat received 3,486.

Craig, who was at Tuesday’s meeting, said he’s ready to serve.

“I ran for the seat because I care about education deeply,” he said. “I’ve been involved in education a long time, and I think there are some people up in Lansing that just don’t know anything about education.”

Bartschat, also at the meeting, said she ran for the seat because it was the right time to give back to her community.

“I had heard that some of the board members were not seeking another term, and I thought this might be a good time [to run],” she said.

Both Craig and Bartschat said they are anxious to take over their seats, and
indicated they thought the current board was doing a good job.

Bartschat and Craig will replace current board secretary Libby Smith and trustee Marilyn Price, each of whom have elected not to seek another term on the board.

Price and Smith’s final meetings will be in December, Craig and Bartschat will take over in January.

Northville Patch will update this story with official tallies from other precincts when those become available on Wednesday morning.