Clarkston voters will have two issues on their ballots when they head to the polls, May 5.
In addition to the statewide Proposal 1, local voters will decide a Non-Homestead Millage Renewal proposal. It calls for approval of 19.2491 mills on industrial and commercial properties, local businesses, and secondary residences for 10 years for Clarkston Community Schools.
According to state law, school districts can only levy 18 mills on non-homestead property. The extra would allow the district to adjust for losses caused by a ‘Headlee rollback.? The Headlee Amendment requires local governments to reduce millage rates when growth on existing property is greater than the rate of inflation.
Without the renewal, the Clarkston School District would lose about $7.3 million in funding, said Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock.
“This is a very important initiative,” Rock said. “The state assumes all school districts collect the Non-Homestead millage of 18 mills, and that amount is deducted from the per-pupil state allowance it provides to each district. If the millage renewal is not approved, the state will not make up the difference.”
Voters last approved the 19.2491 millage in May 2006.
A question-and-answer feature on the millage renewal in the district’s Thread newsletter raised a question of state-regulated public advocacy with Independence Township resident Rob Namowicz.
“The headline (‘May election to ensure full funding for students without increasing homeowner taxes?) represents advocacy,” Namowicz said. “This is a violation of Michigan election law. Not just the renewal, but Prop 1 is a funding increase for public schools. May elections are cloaked in subterfuge to play upon an unsuspecting electorate. Your newsletter does have more detail contained in contained text but there again is advocacy for over riding the law.”
According to Michigan Press Association legal council hotline, the headline is not a violation of state law.
For more information, call the Superintendent’s Office at 248-623-5408.