SUGARCREEK (WJER) - Garaway school officials are getting started on planning for upgrades around the district thanks to last week’s operating levy approval. The 10-year, 4-mill levy passed by about 60 votes last week. Superintendent James Millet says the district and the community worked together to pass the issue.

“We’re really excited. We know that this is going to help us improve as a district but also help us improve as a community because our student that we’re turning out are going out into our community and making it a better place for everybody,” he says.

Millet says the levy will raise just over $1-million annually and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $140 per year, starting next year. Millet says it will fund day-to-day operations, including curriculum, personnel, building upkeep, and security upgrades.

“We did, specifically in the campaign talk about safety improvements that we want to do,” he says. “We’re always looking to add safety improvements to our buildings. More video support within the buildings is something we’ll add as a part of it, but overall it’s for general operating expenses.”

Millet says the district also needs to replace boilers at the schools, and improve the parking lots, particularly at Miller Avenue.

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