A hearty thank you goes out to voters in the Gwinn Area Community Schools District who passed a substantial sinking fund millage request earlier this week.

The district asked for 1.5 mills, or $1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation, for four years from 2020 to 2023. The millage will create a sinking fund for things such as construction or repair of school buildings, school security improvements, the acquisition or upgrading of technology, and the purchase of real estate for sites for school buildings.

It’s estimated the school district will collect $436,296 in revenue per year after the millage is levied this year.

“We provide a great education in the Gwinn Area Community Schools,” Sandy Petrovich said in a Mining Journal story on the issue. “I am so appreciative of the community that’s represented in our name, appreciative of the support of all of the townships that comprise our 364 square miles. Thank you so much for your support for the future of generations of students and the future of the community.”

It was the third time in under 12 months that district officials had asked voters to approve the levy. Voters in May and August declined requests for sinking fund millage. It’s worth noting those instances were, in fact, somewhat different than Tuesday’s request. In May and August, the requests were for 1.75 mills for 10 years, so one must think that voters responded positively to slightly more modest requests.

Credit district decision makers for having the wisdom to determine asking for a little less could have a very different result.

And also credit the residents of the Gwinn district, many of whom are elderly and on fixed incomes. Any increase in payments must be closely and carefully regarded.

And certainly, credit the students who make the Gwinn district one worth fighting for.