PLAINWELL, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Plainwell Community Schools in Allegan County tried to pass a $42.4 million bond in May 2024. Voters rejected it by a 1,368-1,133 vote.

Not deterred, the school district pitched another $39.8 million bond just five months later in November. Again, voters rejected that proposal by a 4,563-4001 vote.

MORE NEWS: Michigan Gubernatorial Race Grows: Former AG Mike Cox Declares Candidacy

Local school districts may have encountered voter fatigue over school funding as 2024 was a rare year in that 42 school bonds were rejected and 41 passed, meaning the majority of school bonds failed.

Voter fatigue explained.

Consider before the pandemic in 2018 and 2019 when 70% of the 111 school bond proposals were approved.

School bond proposals are in the news because the School Finance Research Foundation, a nonprofit stacked with public school superintendents, released a recent report that stated K-12 schools in Michigan have a $22.5 billion need for infrastructure repair and improvements.

Voters may be noticing the amount of money dedicated to Michigan’s K-12 schools since the pandemic started.

School funding today.

Total K-12 school funding has increased from $14.8 billion in 2018-19, the year before the pandemic hit, to $20.6 billion in 2024-25. Included in that is $5.6 billion in COVID-19 federal pandemic relief money. The amount of money school districts receive from bonds is not included in that $20.6 billion funding in 2024-25.

School bonds can mean a lot of money for school districts. Midland Public Schools is pitching a $285 million bond in 2025 while the Dexter Community School District has a $241.8 million bond on the ballot this year.

MORE NEWS: Nonprofit Alleges Henry Ford Health Does Trans Surgeries on Children, Hospital Denies It

There are 32 school bonds on the ballot in 2025 so far, according to the state Treasury department.