COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Community School District are hoping voters will change their minds and pass a bond proposal on Tuesday for what district officials say are much needed improvements and upgrades at Coldwater High School and other buildings in the district.
The district is going back to the voters after a $50 million bond proposal for high school improvements and a proposed increase of point-39 mills for a 950 seat high school auditorium were defeated last November.
But it could be a tough sell especially with the stock market spiraling down, gas prices going back above $4 a gallon, the country’s worst inflation in nearly four decades and a perception by some in the district who have taken to social media to say their taxes will go up if the proposal is passed and that the items being requested are not needed.
The proposal asks should the school district borrow the sum of not to exceed $53 million and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds for improvements at the high school and other buildings in the district. If approved there would also be improvements in the buildings for instructional technology and new buses would be bought.
The ballot language states estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2022 under current law is 1.85 mills ($1.85 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a zero mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. Coldwater school officials and the group “Citizens for Coldwater Schools” have pointed out that there would be no millage increase in numerous advertisements and social media posts.
It’s also stated on the ballot that the school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds.
After supporting a new Branch County Jail, a new fourth and fifth grade elementary school and a Enhanced 911 project in recent years, taxpayers in the Coldwater School district defeated the school district’s $50 million bonding proposal last November 1,929 to 1,686.
It failed to pass in 10 of the 12 precincts. It was only approved in the City of Coldwater’s first and third wards. All of the townships that feed into the school district said no.
A second proposal for a $17 million bond and a increase of point-39 mills that would have funded a 950 seat auditorium was soundly defeated 2,194 to 1,412. It was the second time in six years that voters in the district turned thumbs down to a ballot proposal to build an auditorium at the high school.
Meanwhile, voters in California, Algansee and Butler Townships will help decided a Hillsdale County Intermediate School District Special Education additional millage proposal of two mills for 20 years. If approved, the funds will be used for the education of disabled students.
Comments