Voters in the Algonac Community School District will consider whether or not to renew a millage for a period of 10 years to cover repairs and updates to the district’s facilities Aug. 4.
The millage, originally passed in 2018, charges 1.8152 mills, or $1.8152 for every $1,000 of property value to pay for a sinking fund for the school district. If it’s renewed, the millage would remain the same amount and raise an estimated $1,992,813 in 2028. As a sinking fund, the money can only be used for repairs, construction and upgrades, not salaries, routine maintenance or operating expenses.
Since 2018 the millage has been used for renovations on several Algonac school buildings, particularly replacing the roofs which Algonac Superintendent Alan Latosz said were leaking in 2018. It also covered HVAC upgrades, new security in the schools, upgrading classroom technology and network infrastructure, upgrading bleachers and the Algonac High School track, and renovating elementary school playgrounds.
Latosz said the district was in a better place thanks to the millage, but that the school district still has several repairs and upgrades remaining for its facilities.
“Our buildings are anywhere from 30 to 60 years old,” Latosz said. “Things like roofs, doors, windows, after a while they start to get really old. We’re in a place now where we want to make what we have last and bring it up to date.”
If the millage is renewed, the district plans to spend the money on several renovations, including:
If the millage fails to pass, the school district stated in a promotional pamphlet it would likely be unable to make any of the listed updates, as its state funding only covers day-to-day expenses for the district.
The millage vote will be held on Aug. 4.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac voters to decide on school millage renewal
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
