Lake Orion Community Schools voters approved a $160-million bond proposal Tuesday — the largest school proposal on the ballot in metro Detroit and one that will allow the district to complete major security projects and the reconstruction of an elementary school.

It was one of seven big bond proposals on the ballot in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. And Lake Orion voters weren't the only ones feeling generous. Every one of the other six bond proposals passed.

Meanwhile, voters in the state's largest school district — the Detroit Public Schools Community District — re-elected incumbent Deborah Hunter-Harvill and newcomer Corletta Vaughn. And across Michigan, voters weighed in on the State Board of Education, where two Democrats won seats.

The seven winning school bonds:

Lake Orion Community Schools: Among the projects on tap: Build more secure school entrances, improve accessibility for students and visitors with physical challenges, replace old school buses, renovate classrooms, purchase technology equipment, create an early childhood center and upgrade mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Blanche Sims Elementary School will be reconstructed and there will be significant renovations completed at Webber Elementary School. The vote: 12,137 yes to 9,786 no.

Wayne-Westland Community Schools: A $158-million bond proposal. Among the projects: Safety and security upgrades at every building, classroom upgrades, improvements to the aging infrastructure of buildings, replacing school buses. The vote: 20,298 yes to 11,036 no.

Utica Community Schools: A $155-million bond proposal. Among the safety and security measures: More secure school entrances, adding security cameras, installing emergency alert systems and replacing buses. The money would also pay for building renovations, mechanical and electrical work, as well as technology improvements. The vote: 47,568 yes to 30,012 no.

Grosse Pointe Public Schools: A $111-million bond proposal. The safety initiative includes creating secure entrances, installing security cameras and updating PA systems. It also includes improvements to building sites, such as paving, emergency lighting and fencing. Meanwhile, the bond would also fund projects to install efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as new technology infrastructure. The vote: 15,350 yes to 12,577 no.

Chippewa Valley Schools: A $111-million bond proposal. The bond would allow the district to complete a number of safety and security projects, including purchasing new security cameras, modifying school entrances to make them more secure, installing panic buttons in offices and making door locks safer.

Other non-safety components of the proposal: Replacing technology and old school buses, as well as replacing some roofing, plumbing and mechanical systems. It would also pay for state-of-the art equipment for career and technical education programs.

The vote: 25,701 yes to 18,381 no.

Holly Area Schools: A $38-million bond proposal. The projects include: Creating secure entrances, adding new door hardware for classrooms, adding video surveillance, replacing failing heating and cooling systems, replacing inefficient lighting and electrical systems, replacing aged roofs, upgrading technology, purchasing new technology devices for students and staff. The vote: 7,519 yes to 4,941 no.

Riverview Community Schools: The district had two proposals on the ballot: One is a $13-million bond proposal; the other is a proposal to create a sinking fund millage — a special fund that allows school districts to collect revenue for major building repairs and other upgrades.

The bond proposal will fund projects that include creating secure entrances, installing surveillance systems, replacing mechanical systems, upgrading electrical systems, installing new elementary playground equipment, replacing PA systems and emergency equipment.

The sinking fund will cover projects that include security upgrades, renovating secondary science classes, replacing outdated maintenance equipment and purchasing emergency generators for buildings.

The vote for the bond proposal: 3,709 yes to 1,706 no. And for the sinking fund proposal: 3,334 yes to 2,013 no.



Elsewhere in Metro Detroit: It was a good night in six other school districts - all of which had sinking fund or other millage proposals approved. In addition to the seven bond proposals, two school districts — Ecorse Public Schools and Van Dyke Public Schools — asked voters to approve sinking fund millages.

Detroit Public Schools Community District: Incumbent Deborah Hunter-Harvill was re-elected to a second term on the board, with 45,856 votes. She was followed by Corletta Vaughn, who took the second seat with 36,624 votes. Seven candidates were running for the two seats.

State Board of Education: Democrats will regain the advantage on the board, after the 2016 election left the board with a 4-4 split with Republicans. The two seats that were up for grabs were both held by Republicans, but Democrats took the top two spots among the field of 11 candidates.

The top two vote-getters were Democrats Judy Pritchett and Tiffany Tilley. They were followed by Republicans Tami Carlone and incumbent Richard Zeile. The remaining candidates represent minor political parties.

The two seats are for eight-year terms on the board, which establishes education policy in Michigan and hires a state superintendent.

Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651, lhiggins@freepress.com or @LoriAHiggins