Marked by several major triumphs for the city and school district along with a handful of shocks, setbacks and tragedies, 2015 was yet another monumental year for Dowagiac and its neighboring communities.

Leader Publications’ editorial staff created the list based on stories that were the most read, most talked about and most impactful in the community. The top story of 2015 is as follows:

A pair of “yeses” voters gave to Dowagiac Union Schools on Nov. 3 have paved the way for the next 50 years of education within the local school district.

On Election Day, district residents narrowly approved a pair of bond proposals created to raise more than $37 million worth of renovations and improvements to six of the district’s school buildings and athletic facilities. The bonds were passed by 117 and 50 votes, respectively.

The first of the bonds will generate $27 million worth of funds, through a millage increase of 2.5 mills to district households over a period not to exceed 26 years. Money raised will go toward a total renovation of Dowagiac Union High School and partial renovations to the four elementary buildings, as well as the construction of ADA-compliant bleachers at Chris Taylor Alumni Field.

The second bond will raise $10.2 million through a millage bump of 1 mill over a period not to exceed 20 years. These funds will finish out renovations to the elementary buildings, as well as pay for the construction of a competition gym at Union High School.

The focus of these improvements will be on increasing the safety and security at each of the buildings, through the construction of secure vestibules at each school’s entrance. Work will also focus on the installing of new heating and cooling systems in the affected school buildings, upgrading classroom technology, purchasing new furniture and increasing accessibility for students and visitors with disabilities.

The passage of the proposals wrapped up work school officials began pouring into the project for more than a year ago, when the district began hosting public tours of its facilities. Using feedback from these tours and a district-wide survey, a committee comprised of district administrators and members of the community devised a plan to present a pair of bond proposals to voters, focused on the top priorities given to them by district families.

In the months to come, senior school leaders, faculty and community members will work with construction designers and managers to come up with plans for the renovation work. According to tentative outlines, construction could begin as soon as next summer, and wrap up by fall 2019.