Voters say yes to library and early childhood fee proposals – School News Network

All districts — Both the Ready by Five preschool tax renewal and the annual tax loophole for the Kent County Library passed Tuesday in the primary election.

According to unofficial voting results released by the Kent County Clerk’s office, the Ready by Five bill to renew the 0.25 mill tax passed with 70,313 yes votes to 48,787 no votes, and the KDL one-year, non-renewable bill to renew the 1.1 mill tax passed with 59,321 yes votes to 30,200 no votes.

Ready for Five Early Childhood Millage

“We are grateful to our residents and voters for their strong support of the Early Childhood Tax, and we are confident that the Ready by Five program will continue to ensure that our children are healthy and ready for kindergarten,” said Jennifer Headley-Nordman, president of First Steps, the organization that administers the Ready by Five Tax in Kent.

The six-year, $0.25 million renewal would generate about $8.8 million in the first year and would be used to expand access to preschool programs. The cost for the owner of a $300,000 home would be about $37.50 per year, or $3.13 per month, according to Ready by Five.

Ready by Five provided funding to 18 community-based organizations, including the following programs in Kent ISD: Great Start to Quality Kent Resource Center, Bright Beginnings, Help Me Grow Kent and the Great Start Collaborative.

Kent County Library

Kent County voters also approved a nonrenewable $1.1-mill loophole tax to support library operations through 2025. The tax is estimated to generate about $27.6 million over the course of the year and cost the average homeowner in the library service area $145.75, according to KDL.

“On behalf of the entire library staff and board, I want to express our gratitude for your overwhelming support in helping us pass the Gap Millage election,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “Your commitment ensures that our library can continue to serve as a vital source of education, inspiration, and connection in our community.

“Thank you for believing in the strength of our library and investing in its future.”

In November 2023, Kent County voters approved a 15-year tax renewal for KDL, however the approved ballot measure does not give KDL the authority to assess the new tax until December 2025, resulting in a one-year funding gap.

KDL serves over 440,000 residents in 27 communities through 20 branches, including the KDL Kelloggsville branch at Kelloggsville High School. KDL also has a mobile library, offers over 6,400 outreach programs and activities, and organizes services such as printer/Wi-Fi access at the branch, mobile hotspots for loan, early literacy initiatives, and the Talking Book & Braille Center. KDL also helped establish a satellite branch at Godfrey-Lee East Campus.

In addition to working with schools, KDL provides resources to teachers and runs summer programs, such as the Summer Wonder reading program, so students can continue their learning.

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