School bond proposals on today's ballot

Election 2012

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May 8, 2012

School bond proposals on today's ballot

BY JAMES RUSSELL jrussell@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Tue May 08, 2012, 07:26 AM EDT

TRAVERSE CITY — Area voters visit polls today to decide a multitude of election day proposals, including school funding requests.

Glen Lake Community Schools seeks approval of a $1.91 million bond proposal for technology upgrades and new school buses. The estimated average millage rate to retire the bond series over seven years is 0.38 mill.

It's the first time the district pursued a bond proposal for technology, and Glen Lake Superintendent Joan Groening said it's important to prepare students for the future. The district started a pilot project this academic year to put laptops in students' hands. The proposal will help provide computer access to the entire student body.

"This is focused on students in the classroom, with a one-to-one computing environment," Groening said.

Busing also is a key issue for the district, which spans 164 square miles over two counties, she said. The bond proposal will pay for at least five new buses.

Elk Rapids Public Schools seeks to extend an existing 1.7 mill debt levy over four years. The proposal would raise $4.29 million for improvements to technology, classrooms and energy efficiency, and to purchase four new school buses.

"People are very aware of school districts' struggles with state funding," said Superintendent Steve Prissel. "When taxpayers ask how they can help, this is one way they can and get it back into the classroom for kids."

Voters in some Benzie and Kalkaska County townships will decide millage proposals to fund libraries, road maintenance, ambulance service and fire protection. Kalkaska County Commissioner Stuart McKinnon also faces a recall effort.

Regional Election Roundup

Today is an election day in Michigan, with a number of ballot proposals in the five-county region. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Antrim County

• Alba Public School District: Five-year 18 mill renewal for general operating purposes.

• Bellaire Public School: Three-year 18 mill renewal for general operating purposes.

• Central Lake Public Schools: One-year 18 mill renewal for general operating purposes.

• Central Lake Public Schools: Three-year 0.045 mill renewal for building and site sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings.

• Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District: Four-year 1.16 mill renewal for special education.

• Ellsworth Community School: Three-year 18 mill renewal for general operating expenses.

• Elk Rapids Public Schools: Proposal to borrow up to $4.29 million for technology, infrastructure upgrades, energy efficiency and site improvements. Passage will maintain the existing 1.7 mill rate for four years.

Benzie County

• Gilmore Township: 0.75 mill proposal in perpetuity for district library funding.

• Platte Township voters also will vote on the $1.91 million bond proposal for Glen Lake Community Schools.

Grand Traverse County

• The Elk Rapids Schools' bonding proposal will be on Whitewater and Acme townships' ballots.

Kalkaska County

• Boardman Township: Five-year 1.9754 mill renewal for road improvement, maintenance and construction.

• Boardman Township: Five-year 0.9877 mill renewal for operational expenses, maintenance and purchase of equipment for the Boardman Township Fire Department.

• Coldsprings and Rapid River townships: Proposal to recall Kalkaska County Commissioner Stuart McKinnon.

• Crawford School: Five-year 18 mill renewal for general operating purposes.

• Springfield Township: Four-year 1 mill renewal for maintenance and operation of the ambulance service.

• Springfield Township: Four-year 0.3 mill renewal for general township operations.

• Springfield Township: Four-year 1 mill renewal for fire protection.

Leelanau County

• Glen Lake Community Schools: Seven-year $1.91 million bonding proposal for technology and buses. Estimated average millage rate over seven years is 0.38 mills.