BY LINDSAY VANHULLE
FIFE LAKE -- The roof over Forest Area High School leaked enough last winter that administrators patched it this summer.
But the $120,000 price tag could pose a financial storm for the Kalkaska County district, and its leaders hope they also won't have to fix a budget hole.
Forest Area Community Schools in Fife Lake is one of several regional districts that will ask voters on Tuesday to help fund building projects.
The district needs a five-year, 1-mill sinking fund to repair parts of its four schools, Superintendent John Smith said. A similar proposal failed a year ago.
A sinking fund differs from a bond sale in that it does not require districts to borrow money and repay interest. School districts use both to cover infrastructure upgrades to save general fund dollars for instruction and salaries.
"It's always challenging to ask voters for a tax increase, especially during economic times like this," Smith said. "There is a need to repair some of these buildings, and we don't have the money to do that."
Kalkaska Public Schools wants voters to approve a 16-year, 1.89-mill bond issue so the district can receive $18.7 million in federal stimulus dollars it was granted.
The request is necessary because the district has to have a way to repay the interest-free loans once they are given, Superintendent Lee Sandy said.
Plans include remodeling Birch Street Elementary classrooms, expanding the middle school library, replacing a boiler from 1959 and building a new gym and auditorium at Kalkaska High School.
"You only get a one-time chance" for these funds, Sandy said. "This does create jobs, at least for a short term."
In Leland, administrators are asking voters to renew a three-year, 0.3-mill sinking fund for such projects as improving Hancock Park, where some athletic events are played, and advancing technology.
Renewing the fund will continue upgrades made with a 2002 bond issue, Superintendent Mike Hartigan said. The district also seeks a one-year renewal of its 10.9013-mill non-homestead operating millage to support its general fund.
That millage allows districts to collect their full per-student revenue.
Benzie County Central and Frankfort-Elberta Area school systems are asking for five-year renewals of their 18-mill operating millages.
The local levy generates nearly $7 million and 52 percent of Benzie's revenue, and about $4.4 million and almost all of Frankfort's, administrators said.
"There's not a lot of issues that may drive a lot of people to the polls," Benzie Superintendent Dave Micinski said. "We need to let people know how important this is."
On the ballot
The following local school districts have tax issues in the Nov. 3 general election:
-Forest Area Community Schools, Fife Lake: District seeks a five-year, 1-mill sinking fund for building upgrades.
-Kalkaska Public Schools: District will ask for a 16-year, 1.89-mill bond request so it can receive $18.7 million in federal stimulus funding it was granted. The district can't collect the interest-free loans without a repayment method in place.
-Leland Public School: District seeks a one-year renewal of its 10.9013-mill, non-homestead operating millage. It also wants voters to renew a three-year, 0.3-mill sinking fund for infrastructure.
-Suttons Bay Public Schools: District seeks a renewal of a five-year, 0.25-mill sinking fund for building upgrades.
-Benzie County Central Schools: Voters will be asked to renew a five-year, 18-mill non-homestead operating millage. It also seeks a 2.5-mill override to the state's Headlee Amendment to collect its full 18 mills over time.
-Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools: Voters will be asked to renew a five-year, 18-mill non-homestead operating millage. It also seeks a 2.5-mill override to the state's Headlee Amendment to collect its full 18 mills over time.
