Beekman Center and Heartwood School – Special Education Facilities Bond – May 5
The Beekman Center was built 58 years ago in 1968, and Heartwood School was built 48 years ago in 1978.
Beekman Center, located in Lansing, and Heartwood School, located in Mason, serve students from all 12 local district boundaries in the Ingham ISD area who require specialized educational programs, services and environments to support their learning and development. Students who attend Beekman Center and Heartwood School attend school from ages 3-26.
Beekman Center and Heartwood School are places where students with the most complex educational needs are provided with additional support in building independence, communication skills and confidence. The operation of Beekman Center moved from the Lansing School District to Ingham ISD on July 1, 2024. During this transition, a facilities study was done to determine the current state of the Beekman Center building. The study identified that the building was beyond its useful life. Beekman Center and Heartwood School were built before today’s accessibility standards, safety expectations and educational practices existed. The buildings in their current state have challenges related to space, mobility, therapy needs and aging building systems and equipment.
As a result of that study and planned improvements to Heartwood School, Ingham ISD is proposing a Special Education Facilities bond on the May 5 ballot. More information about the bond proposal can be found on the Special Education Bond website, including a frequently asked questions section. If approved by voters, a home with a $200,000 market value ($100,000 taxable value) would likely see a $55.00 increase annually or $4.58 monthly.
The community is also invited to watch the informational video, follow us on social media for updates-Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, attend a virtual community forum or attend an in-person forum with a building tour of Beekman Center or Heartwood School to learn more about the proposal. Dates for all events will be added to the Special Education Bond website.
Ingham ISD offers educational programs and services to students, families and staff in the following districts: Dansville, East Lansing, Haslett, Holt, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Waverly, Webberville and Williamston. For more information, visit Ingham ISD (www.inghamisd.org).
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