The May 6 election is next Tuesday and voters in eight area school districts will be asked to decide several school funding proposals.
Here’s what’s at stake in each of the districts:
- ATLANTA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - The district is asking for a $200,000 sinking fund millage that would last from 2025 to 2034. The money would be used for construction and repair, security improvements, technology upgrades and for transportation. It would cost the average homeowner no more than $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.
- CHARLEVOIX PUBLIC SCHOOLS - A 10-year $8 million dollar bond will be on the ballot. The funds generated would used for remodeling buildings, constructing support buildings, technology upgrades, buying school buses and improving athletic facilities. It would cost $790 for every $100,000 of taxable value.
- CENTRAL LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS - This Antrim County district is asking for $15,395,000 over 30 years to make security improvements, including building a secure vestibule at the middle/high school. The money would also buy furnishings for school buildings, technology improvements and improve playgrounds. It would cost $2.01 for every $1,000 of a home’s taxable value.
- ELK RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS - The district is asking for a 4 mill increase over four years ($58,635 per year) to restore a millage that was lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963. It would mean an increase of $4 for every $1,000 dollars of taxable value.
- KINGSLEY AREA SCHOOLS - After a major defeat in 2019 of a nearly $40 million request, the Kingsley Area Schools Board of Education approved an ask of $39,200,000 to be paid back over 30 years for this year’s May 6 election. The money would be used for new additions and the remodeling of the middle and high school buildings. It would also pay for the remodeling of the elementary school, upgrade technology and develop and improve the middle and high school sites. The bond would cost a homeowner $4.90 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The district does not anticipate to borrow any money from the State to service the debt.
- ONAWAY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS - Their request on the May 6 ballot is for $10,290,000 over 21 years. The money borrowed would go toward improvements to school buildings, new HVAC equipment and overall improvements to the school property. This would cost the average homeowner $1.41 for every $1,000 of taxable value.
- REED CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - The district is asking for $88,100,000 over 30 years. They want to use the money to remodel the middle and high school, buy school buses, technology upgrades and improve athletic facilities. It would cost $4.50 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to service the debt.
- ROSCOMMON AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS - This district wants to borrow $12,800,000 over 11 years for safety improvements, the remodeling of, including new roofs on the school buildings. The money would also be used for athletic facility improvements, driveways and site improvements. It would cost $0.50 for every $1,000 of taxable value. They do not expect to borrow from the State to service the bonds.