Lansing, MI: Voters support $100M bond for new special school

May 6, 2026, Lansing State Journal: $99M proposal for new Beekman Center OK'd, Grand Ledge fire issue fails

Voters supported a nearly $100 million bond proposal to bring a new special education facility to Lansing while voters in Eaton County shot down an ask for funds to build two new fire stations. . . .

A new special education facility is in Lansing's future after voters supported a nearly $100 million bond proposal.

The ballot included an ask from the Ingham Intermediate School District for a 20-year, 0.55 mill proposal to build a new Beekman Center in Lansing and bring upgrades to the Heartwood School in Mason. The two special education facilities service high-need students.

Ingham ISD Superintendent Jason Mellema said Wednesday he is thankful for the support on the proposal, and that the support from voters was a nod that they believe the ISD is trusted to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. , , ,

The Beekman Center first opened in 1968, years before school districts were required to offer special education services. The center was the brain child of the late Marv Beekman, who worked for the Lansing School District as the director of special education before earning a position working for the state.

The school was owned and operated by the Lansing School District until summer 2024, when the ISD took it over. Heartwood School opened in 1978.

The district plans to borrow $99.96 million to build the new Beekman Center, demolish the current one and renovate the Heartwood School. Through the millage, a homeowner with a house with a taxable value of $100,000 would owe about $55 in taxes annually. . . .