A new special education center would be built at the site that currently hosts the Beekman Center in Lansing, if votes approve a nearly $100 million school bond in an election in May. (Lucas Day for ELi)

Nearly $100M Ingham ISD Special Education Bond to Appear on May Ballot

There will be a special election in May for voters to consider a $99,960,000 bond proposal for Ingham Intermediate School District to replace a special education school building and renovate and expand existing special education infrastructure to serve 12 area school districts.

The Beekman Center in Lansing, one of the county centers that offers services to students with moderate and severe cognitive conditions and other needs, is in need of replacement, according to Ingham Intermediate School District, or Ingham ISD. The goal is to use the bond to build a new center on the Beekman Center site and to renovate another facility providing services to special education students, Heartwood School in Mason.

Ingham ISD provides services to students in schools in Dansville, East Lansing, Haslett, Holt, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Waverly, Webberville and Williamston. Voters within Ingham ISD’s service area will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to approve the special education bond proposal on May 5, 2026.

The property tax burden on voters for the bond for 2026 is estimated at $0.55 for each $1,000 of taxable value, according to the bond proposal, and that millage could be levied for up to 20 years.

The bond was created in collaboration with local school districts, according to Ingham ISD, and would address the needs of students with disabilities navigating school facilities. Despite being built in 1968, the Beekman Center hasn’t received any monumental renovations outside of a roof replacement in 2014 and Heartwood School, built in 1978, would benefit from renovations as well, according to Ingham ISD.

“Critical and urgent upgrades were identified at the Beekman and Heartwood facilities, where many of our students rely on wheelchairs and other mobility devices. To ensure they can move safely and with dignity, our classrooms and hallways need more space and updated designs that support their transportation and care,” Ingham ISD said on its website outlining the bond. “The Bond Proposal improvements would prioritize the health, safety, and accessibility of every learner by widening hallways, expanding classroom spaces, and creating environments that better accommodate student needs.“

If the bond is approved, Ingham ISD plans to commence construction on the Beekman Center site in fall of 2027 and work on renovating and creating other resources over the course of about five years.

This is a developing story and ELi will continue to report on the proposed renovations and potential impacts on area students as we find out more.