Sand Creek Community Schools is seeking approval from district voters for a 5-year building and site millage levy to support infrastructure repairs and upgrades essential for maintaining a safe learning environment. The proposal aims to replace the current 1.8414 mills with a 2.6 mill levy to cover various maintenance projects. The school district highlights the importance of continuous funding for building and site facilities and the need for additional resources due to frozen state aid funding and newly expanded legislative allowances for sinking fund millage usage. Community support is crucial for the success of this initiative.
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Presentation Transcript
Sand Creek Community Schools Building and Site Sinking Fund November 5, 2024 Special Election Informational Presentation at Regular Board Meeting Don Harlan Library Jr./Sr. High School Monday, September 16that 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
Building & Site Millage Question What: The Sand Creek Community Schools Board of Education will be asking its district voters to approve a 5 year building & site millage levy for 2.6 mills. When: This question will be on the November 5, 2024 election ballot for all Sand Creek district voters. Why: The purpose of a building & site millage is to provide funding to maintain building and grounds facilities. General fund money is not typically budgeted for these types of projects. **This would replace, if passed, the district s current sinking fund levy of 1.8414 mills. **This millage election is asking for an .7586 mill increase to the current millage. However, this millage (if passed) would be for the same 5 year time period. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
History of our Building & Site Millage The district has levied a building and site millage for many years. The 1.8414 mills has been in place since 2011??. The district has been levying a building and site sinking fund millage for many years. Projects that have been completed with building and site funds in the past include: Boilers Roof repair/replacement Bleachers Lighting Upgrades Tuckpointing (brick) repair Parking Lot Paving/Sealcoating Flooring High School Track/HS Gym floor Doors/Windows Electrical and plumbing upgrades Building and site maintenance is a continuous need and our district voters have always been very supportive of this millage. Thank you! Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
Why the millage question now? Why is the district asking to replace the current 1.8414 mills with 2.60 mill levy? Sand Creek Schools has a 5-year plan that includes several areas of infrastructure repair and upgrades to maintain and upgrade our campus. The repairs and upgrades are needed in order for us to continue to provide a safe and effective learning environment. Our general fund money (a majority that comes from our per-pupil state aid funding) cannot cover operating costs as well as the needed upgrades and maintenance The state s budget froze our per-student state aid funding for this school year, making it even more challenging to cover increasing costs and other needs. Recent new state legislation allows for buses to be purchased with building & site sinking fund millage funds. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
Why the millage question now? (Continued) Why is the district asking to replace the current 1.8414 mills with 2.60 mill levy? In May 2023, Governor Whitmer signed legislation allowing sinking fund millage to cover transportation costs. This expanded use can only be made with sinking fund millage approved following these legislative amendments. This millage request for Sand Creek School district registered voters: Simply expands the use of the current sinking fund millage amounts to transportation Adds .7586 mills to the existing 1.8414 levy (total of 2.6 Mills) The added mills would bring in approximately $126,000 annually, which is the current approximately cost of a new gasoline school bus. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
What other district projects and needs will be the focus of the sinking fund? With approval of the 2.60 mill sinking fund, the additional .7586 mills would allow for the purchase of a bus a year which is generally the rule of thumb to keep the bus fleet safe and in good working condition. This allows the district to maintain the existing 1.8414 mills (or approximate $307,000 per year) on needs and upgrades. Some of these that are currently on our 5-year plan include: Safety Upgrade Needs Gorman Road drop-off and pick-up Elementary drop-off and pick-up Additional lighting in parking lots and driveways Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
What other district projects and needs will be the focus of the sinking fund? (continued) Maintenance/Upkeep Needs Roof replacement / repair projects Parking lot sealcoating and asphalt upkeep Window replacements (district has been replacing as needed) Jr. High Gym Floor Elementary classroom floors (continue replacing older classroom asbestos tiled flooring) Elementary septic system replaced Drainage at softball field Program Improvements Video and sound system for Jr. High gym (concerts, plays, programs) Air conditioning to district classrooms and buildings to improve air flow and learning conditions Storage room at elementary Walk-in cooler and freezer box units at elementary
Facts regarding this millage request This would be for the same period of time as the existing approved millage thru 2029. Sand Creek Schools has been levying a voter approved sinking fund millage for 25+ years. The current Sinking Fund millage of 1.8414 mills has been in place since 2011. This Sinking Fund Millage request of 2.60 mills will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
Facts Regarding Sinking Funds Sinking funds can only be used for purposes outlined and approved in the sinking fund millage proposal Sinking fund dollars can NOT be used for operational costs such as salaries, utilities and textbooks Sinking funds are not the same as a bond. They are both approved by voters and generated by taxpayers. HOWEVER: A bond is a borrowing that taxpayers must pay back over a period of years with interest. Sinking funds are levied, not borrowed. The funds generated do not include borrowing additional debt or incurring interest. Sinking fund revenue is also limited in its uses which are regulated by law. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279)
Increase to Sand Creek taxpayers What is a mill? A mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of the taxable value of your property. The taxable value of your property is equal or less to the state equalized value (SEV). Is typically around 50% of the market value of your property. Estimated impact of this proposed 2.60 mill tax levy. Paid for by: Sand Creek Community Schools (6518 SC Hwy; SC MI 49279
Contact Information Questions? Superintendent/Chief Financial Officer Sharon Smith Sharon.smith@sc-aggies.us 517-436-3108 Any Sand Creek Schools Board Member Nathan Adams, President Matt Hillard, Vice-President matt.hillard@sc-aggies.us Amanda Ream, Treasurer Jen Bennett, Secretary Randy Olson, Trustee Rosemary Huston, Trustee Clint Brugger, Trustee nathan.adams@sc-aggies.us amanda.ream@sc-aggies.us jennifer.bennett@sc-aggies.us randy.olson@sc-aggies.us rosemary.huston@sc-aggies.us clint.brugger@sc-aggies.us
