By Staff
From those of us in Michigan, "THANKS, Indiana." It has been interesting to actually see some presidential primary campaigning. The television and print media has given us a good dose of politics and campaigning.
This is something we missed out on with our boycotted primary. What has gotten lost in the shuffle are the Michigan School Board elections slated for the same day, May 6th.
For Niles Schools, there is a very important renewal vote for our sinking fund. The vote is to renew the 1 mill sinking fund that taxpayers have been paying for the last five years. The renewal of a small tax levy is generally not a big deal, but for our schools it is an extremely big deal. The sinking fund is specifically dedicated to maintaining and repairing school facilities.
The sinking fund generates a little more than $500,000 a year to pay for maintenance of our aging facilities. Sinking fund money is strictly controlled and can't be spent on staff salaries or supplies.
In the Niles Schools, this money is used for numerous maintenance and repair projects to make sure our schools are adequate places to learn. Each year, over half the money generated goes for replacing roofs. In the past, the remaining funds have paid for emergency repairs (plumbing, septic systems, electrical, heating, and ventilation) along with a major effort to replace most of the exterior doors in the district.
If the fund is renewed, the plans for the next couple of years will be to continue our roof replacement program, while putting some money aside for emergency repairs. The remaining money will be used to improve the security of our buildings and to invest in energy efficiency improvements.
From a budget standpoint the Niles Schools relies heavily on the sinking fund to keep our district facilities operating. Without the sinking fund, we would be sunk. No longer does our general fund have monies to cover these kinds of expenses.
Last week, a citizen asked what will happen if the millage is not renewed. The answer is not pretty. If we don't have the sinking fund to help keep our facilities repaired, then the Board will have to take the money out of general fund. This means cutting programs, services, and staff.
For the past seven years, the educational community in Michigan has dealt with state aid cuts and freezes and political double speak. The Niles Community Schools Board has been forced to cut millions of dollars out of the budget. This has not been easy and certainly not been fun. I am proud of the fact that we have achieved a balanced budget every year for the past seven years. In the budget process the Board has always given the classroom top priority. The Board has tried to make cuts that would have minimal effect on teaching and learning.
Without the sinking fund money, the Board will be forced to look at cutting some programs, services, and staff that serve our students. No specific list has been developed. We have enough in the fund to pay for the roof projects already approved for this summer, but budget adjustments will have to be made in the long run.
I am sure the media will be reporting on the issues and candidates that are up for a vote in the May 6th school election, but I also know that presidential primaries are far more attractive and will get the larger dose of attention.
For those of you in Michigan, please find out who is running for local school board and become familiar with any issues that are on the ballot. Please, don't forget to vote on May 6th.