Janalee Grainer summed up the feelings of a parent group concerning the issues on the June 9 school election ballot.
‘We need to tell our neighbors,? she said. ‘I’ll do my subdivision.?
Grainer was one of about a dozen parents who attended a Tuesday, April 29 meeting of the Academic Boosters of Clarkston. Part of the agenda was a presentation from school officials about the three parts of the school ballot.
Voters will select two school board members from a field of eight candidates, decide on whether to restore the full 18 mills of ‘non-homestead? property tax for school operations and say yes or no to a proposed $83.7 million bond issue for school building additions and renovations.
Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing for the school district, crunched the numbers for the group, describing how the unrelated ballot issues both contribute to the district’s financial and educational health.
The ‘non-homestead? property tax was created under 1994’s Proposal A. Part of that millage will expire this year, and the entire levy has been subject to Headlee Amendment rollbacks. The June 9 ballot represents a potential $1.6 million revenue, to be collected from business, commercial, rental and non-qualified agricultural property.
In addition to the direct revenue, the non-homestead levy is important to the state’s ‘per pupil? foundation grant which comes from the state homestead property tax.
‘That was the deal we all agreed to in 1994,? Banach said. ‘It’s not a new tax. It’s not something that we’re going after businesses for more than we’re allowed to. We must levy 18 mills to get our full per-pupil amount.?
‘We’re not trying to hurt businesses,? Superintendent Al Roberts said, but, ‘We simply can’t afford to do this to kids.?
School officials are promoting the bond issue not as a tax increase, but as an extension of current capital improvement debt. If the June 9 proposal is not approved, the district expects to have current debt paid by the year 2023. If voters approve the new bonds, the payoff is estimated to come in 2029.
Because the district population is expected to grow, however, additional taxpayers are likely to pay into the debt retirement fund, so it could be accomplished sooner.
‘The district has been on a schedule that is faster than predicted,? Roberts said. ‘Our record has been pretty good.?
Revenue from the bond issue, if approved, would allow for additions to five district campuses:
? Pine Knob Elementary: Six classrooms, technology and furniture, playground, paving and irrigation.
? Sashabaw Middle School: 24 classrooms; separate bus loop and staff parking; expanded cafetorium and specialized classrooms for art, music, computer labs and science; technology and furniture.
? Clarkston Middle School: Expansion and improvements to auditorium, gym and cafeteria; parking, irrigation and site improvements.
? Community Education Center/Renaissance High School: Eight classrooms; renovate and remodel west side of building; selective demolition of a portion of east side of building; technology upgrades; parking and site improvements.
? Administrative Building and Early Childhood Center: Addition to serve all district preschool programs; space for full-day kindergarten; additional workstations for special services staff; expanded parking.
With these additions, administrators plan to realign grade locations, with sixth and seventh grades in the Sashabaw Middle School building, eighth and ninth grades in the Clarkston Middle School building and 10th through 12 grades at Clarkston High School.
Although the freshman academic program will continue to earn credits for high school graduation, officials said there has been no decision on what to name the current middle school buildings under the new configuration.
Some parents wondered what the new grade alignment would mean to school sports programs. Roberts said the intent is to maintain or increase opportunities, but he admitted that details are sketchy at this point.
‘It’s not engineered yet,? he said. ‘We need to spend time on that after the vote.?
John Diliegghio, executive director for middle and high school education, said he knows of 15 or 16 Michigan school districts with a similar grade alignment. While officials want to learn from those districts, Roberts said the goal is for a unique program.
‘It’s really my hope that, when we pass this, that June 10 we hit the road running on planning,? the superintendent said. ‘This should be our vision of a six-seven, eight-nine building, not any other places. I really hope this becomes a unique planning model for our kids.?
Banach noted that administrators can only deal with ‘information? during working hours, but she pledged to be a campaigner in her spare time. She offered to meet with other parent groups to explain the district’s plan, and emphasized the May 12 voter registration deadline.
In answer to some parents? questions about educating the public, Roberts said the more important task is to mobilize those who already support the public schools.
‘We clearly have to get our yes voters out,? Roberts said. ‘All the communicating in the world won’t help unless folks get to the polls.?