Brandon Twp.- A vote on a district bond extension netting about $73 million for several major renovations, technology upgrades and a new elementary school could come as early as May 2, say school officials.
‘Following voters? approval of the bond extension it’s going to take three to five years to complete all the upgrades and construction,? said Tom Miller, Brandon school district superintendent.
The school board voted at a special meeting in late October to initiate an investigation process for a district bond extension.
School officials say that in 1996 the millage was at 7.88 and voters approved an increase to 8.24 mill that year. The results netted $34,630,000 for a new middle school and $6,225,000 for a swimming pool. Currently $29 million is owed by the district and the loan will be paid off in 2026. The proposed bond extension will tack on six more years.
Currently district residents with a $200,000 home pay $824 per year in school taxes’a figure that will remain constant says Miller.
‘Even if the community turns down the bond extension, taxes won’t change,? he said. ‘The only way to acquire the necessary funds to maintain facilities is to increase millages or an extension of current bonds.?
‘Right now many of our facilities are old and held together with Band-Aids’that can only go on for so long before there are major repairs. The needs are becoming greater, systems are breaking down and controlling energy use is becoming more difficult. Our kids deserve the best.?
Miller said the next step will be a meeting with the Michigan Treasury in Lansing on Jan. 11 who must approve the proposal. The district will be represented in Lansing by a school board member, superintendent, project architect, construction managers, bond counsel, directors of technology along with building and site directors for the district.
‘The scope of the project along with justification of the district’s needs must meet the rigor of state officials prior to the spring vote,? said Miller. We’ve gained input from a variety of area groups and aim to implement their ideas.?
While the extent of the proposed bond extension is now only preliminary several major changes can be expected if the measure is approved by voters.
nTechnology improvements including approximately 1,600 new computers. Printers will also be replaced where needed.
n Implementation of ‘Smart Boards,? in classrooms with enhanced video presentation. The new technology uses a whiteboard with a computer and creates an interactive learning tool engaging students and audiences around the world. The touch-sensitive display connects computer and digital projector to show a computer image.
n Increase curriculum offering more high level integrated technology classes.
n New telephones and communication systems within and between each school building. A Wi-fi system for the high school with hard lines for internet connection for the other buildings.
n Roofs and boilers replaced in all district buildings along with improved ventilation systems.
n Carpeting and windows replaced.
n Upgrades to the current septic systems.
n Proposed changes to address the traffic flow in both the entrances and exits to the high school, middle school and intermediate school. Included will be an additional lane from M-15 to the high school and alternative exits from M-15 to the middle and intermediate schools.
n Construction of a new K-4 elementary school. The 56-year-old HT Burt Elementary will become the Sherman Lifelong Learning Center including the early childhood center and alternative learning center. Several parcels are currently under consideration’about 15 acres is required for the new facility say school officials.
n Proposed construction of a new high school cafeteria and using the existing cafeteria for a technology area. Also establishing about 350 additional parking places at the high school. Several new classrooms, an auxiliary gymnasium and more band room space is also under consideration for the high school.
n A gymnasium and additional parking is proposed for Belle Ann Elementary.
n Proposed construction of a new athletic complex including a football field with a seating capacity of 4,000, new locker rooms, artificial turf on the field, restrooms facilities and concession stands. The old Brandon football field with a capacity of 2,500 will be used for middle school and Junior Blackhawks events.