Huron Schools, Mich., is seeking voter passage of a $49,075,000 bond issue request for 30 years on May 7.
The construction bond sale is needed to generate funds for numerous improvements in the district, including building a new early childhood center, said Supt. Donovan Rowe.
The property tax levy to pay off the bonds will remain the same since two earlier bond issues okayed by voters are ending. Residents are paying 7 mills on those issues and that millage will stay the same, Rowe said.
"This won't cost you anything more than what you're paying today," he said.
All money received from the sale will be used only for capital improvements, Rowe said.
The funding will allow the district to pay for infrastructure (including new roofs), technology and energy saving and safety improvements to buildings and grounds without having to deplete the general fund.
"This will allow our general fund money to be used for academic programs," Rowe said.
He said the district doesn't receive state aid for building improvements. State funding is used for educating students.
"Similar to your home, there are day-to-day things you have to replace or fix," he said. "If you are unable to spend money to maintain your home, it will begin to deteriorate. Schools have a much bigger price tag with new energy efficient lighting, safety doors and infrastructure needs."
The biggest improvements are $13.2 million targeted at the high school and $10.3 million for a new kindergarten center to replace the Sunnyside Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center that is old.
The district plans to demolish the center at 24820 Merriman Rd. and build a new one to house kindergarten and a young fives program with 12 to 15 classrooms next to the center, the superintendent said.
"We don't offer a young fives program," he said. "We want to bring it back."
The new structure also will house latchkey and preschool programs and the Head Start/Great Start Readiness Program, a pre-kindergarten program run by The Guidance Center.
Latchkey and preschool are part of Sunnyside.
The new center comprises $10.3 million, or 21 percent, of the bond issue.
The high school has the most improvements planned in terms of dollars: $13.2 million, or 27 percent.
Work also is planned at the football field at the high school, including installation of synthetic turf on the field and replacing the track around the athletic complex and adding a sidewalk.
The two bond issues that are wrapping up include a roughly $20 million project in 2000 for renovations to all buildings and addition of a media center and locker rooms at the high school.
