Five school districts in Macomb County are asking voters to approve school bond proposals on Nov. 5.
Bonds are one of the common ways for school districts to fund construction costs and projects ranging from repairing old roofs and installing new security doors to improving athletic fields and purchasing school buses.
“A ballot may be asking voters to approve an increased tax or approve an existing tax,” said Douglas Carr, associate professor of political science and MPA program director for Oakland University.
Van Dyke Public Schools is among the districts asking voters to support a bond.
“We have to replace two roofs right away,” said Van Dyke Public Schools Superintendent Piper Bognar. “We’ve also got windows and boilers (HVAC systems) that need replacing and will be installing a turf field.”
It’s for this reason the school is presenting voters with a zero-mill increase or no tax increase ballot question; to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $36,170,000.
“Our community has always been incredibly supportive so we’re hopeful but hopeful is not a strategy so we will continue to get information out about the zero-increase,” Bognar said, noting they’ve gone as far as adding a hotline number to handle voter questions.
Basically, a school bond millage is what the school district uses to pay off those bonds over time.
As Carr explains this is done through a millage increase in property taxes or a continuation of the bond.
A millage is calculated by looking at the taxable value of a home and multiplying that by the number of mills levied. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. If the levy is .95, then the millage rate on home with a taxable value of $100,000 would be $95.
No tax increase bonds are a lot like a home equity loan.
By refinancing a loan with the mortgage company a homeowner is able to get access to cash. When a school district reaches the tail end of a bond payoff period, it can borrow more money by refinancing the bond without taxpayers paying more than they currently are.
That’s why they’re able to call it a no tax increase bond.
“Since I have been here we have refinanced three times,” Bognar said, of the bond proposal in 2008 and 2015.
Memphis Community Schools Superintendent Sara Dobbelaer said her district did their homework before placing a bond proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot.
“The final bond project list was developed based on input from the community and staff, through a series of focus panels and an online survey,” said Dobbelaer.
The input gained from community and staff members resulted in a $16.2 million no tax-rate increase bond proposal.
This will include approximately 100 projects aimed at enhancing safety and security as well as improving educational spaces and facility infrastructure.
For security and safety reasons the district hopes to replace outdated fire alarms panels, install additional key access systems, replace doors, resurface select parking lots and walkways and purchase new buses.
Educational space updates include creating a dedicated robotics space, upgrading science labs, and equipping classrooms with digital displays and new furniture. A digital media studio and a new athletic training space will also be established.
Facility infrastructure and school site improvements include roof replacements, drainage upgrades, and updated temperature control systems. Sports facilities will get a new running track, expanded parking, and updated press boxes and scoreboards.
Voters will find more information on the school district’s website www.memphisk12.org. Dobbelaer is also willing to speak to residents who have any further questions about the bond proposal by phone: 810-535-8225 or via email at: sdobbelaer@memphisk12.org)
Other school bond proposals include:
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
The L’Anse Creuse Public Schools (LCPS) Board of Education has approved placing a $188.7 million, no tax-rate increase bond proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot.
According to info on the district’s website, school officials worked with architectural and construction management specialists to determine immediate facility needs and program upgrades to identify bond proposal projects. Identified projects were grouped into four categories including upgrades to safety and security, enhancing arts and athletics and improving instructional spaces and technology along with infrastructure and school sites.
This proposal is also a revised version of what was previously asked of voters.
Voters turned down a previous request for a $330 million bond proposed to address aging facilities throughout the district. The proposed project scope was extensive because the last LCPS bond proposal was 19 years ago.
However, following the election community feedback echoed the need to update school facilities without a tax rate increase. Residents also questioned the size and scope of the projects to be completed at one time. It’s for these reasons the district has placed a revised, smaller scale bond for $188.7 million on the ballot.
For more information visit lc-ps.org/community/bond-election-information/
South Lake Schools
The district is asking voters to consider renewing the current operating and hold harmless millages on election day.
A hold harmless millage is levied on primary residences, qualified agricultural and forest property, supportive housing property, public school academy property, as well as industrial and commercial personal property. With a hold harmless millage, districts residing in communities that are spending more than the minimum per pupil funding, can continue to do so. Michigan requires school districts to levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties in order to receive the full foundation allowance from the state.
South Lake School Superintendent Ted Von Hiltmayer said taxes will not increase for residents with the passage of these proposals.
As an operating millage is a tax levy on non-homestead properties, such as businesses, qualified agricultural property, vacation homes, investment and rental property. There is no impact on primary residences.
“If approved, the non-homestead operating and hold-harmless millages will provide $5.3 million to the district annually, providing much-needed educational resources to ensure our students grow and thrive. These funds are a vital part of the district budget and without this support, substantial reductions in programming would be necessary,” said Von Hiltmayer. “In partnership with this community, our students are encouraged to reach their ultimate potential. With the dollars provided through operating and hold-harmless millage funds, we ensure that South Lake facilities are available and safe for our students and community.”
For more information contact the superintendent at tvonhiltmayer@solake.org or visit solake.org.
Warren Consolidated Schools
The district’s operating millage is up for renewal on Nov. 5 and the district is proposing a 10-year replacement.
“It’s important that every community member understands the significance of our operating millage. Every few years we turn to our community to vote on the school operating millage, 79% of which is funded by businesses in our area with the other 21% from homeowners,” said Warren Consolidated Schools Superintendent John Bernia, Jr.
As he explained the millage comprises almost 20% of the district’s operating budget and is primarily used for in-classroom learning such as teachers, support staff, and school principals; books and materials; and programs such as athletics, the fine and performing arts, and many other outstanding extracurricular activities.
“We are proud of our school board’s diligence in maintaining a balanced budget and cutting unneeded expenses. We are asking for the community to vote on holding this millage rate steady for the next 10 years to maintain opportunities for our students as we prepare them for college, trade school, the workforce, and beyond. This operating millage replacement represents no tax increase for community homeowners on their principal residence.”
For more information contact the superintendent at 586-698-4044 or visit wcskids.net.