By Staff
On Tuesday, May 6 the Niles Community Schools will be asking voters to renew a 1-mill sinking fund millage.
The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce is in support of this small millage renewal and we agree it is important that the millage is renewed.
We urge voters to approve the renewal of this important tax levy.
Doing so will not raise your taxes. The vote is simply to renew an existing levy that is earmarked to maintain school buildings and the like.
Money from the fund cannot be spent on anything other than facility maintenance and repairs. That means it can't go to pay salaries, purchase supplies or anything like that.
Niles Community Schools officials tell us that in years past, more than half the money from the fund has been used to replace roofs on school buildings. The remainder of the money in the fund has helped pay for emergency repairs to plumbing, heating, electric and ventilation systems, as well as the replacement of most of the exterior doors in the district's schools.
If renewed, school officials plan to use the funds to continue the roof replacement project, as well as work to put some of the money aside for emergency repairs. Any remaining funds will be spent to improve security of the district's buildings and to use to make energy efficiency improvements.
If this millage renewal does not pass, the Niles Community School Board will be faced with the choice of maintaining our buildings or cutting programs and services.
Few need to be reminded how badly our Niles public schools need this millage renewal. The truth is, Niles school children need and deserve much more than this small tax renewal will generate. Approving it is the least we can do for our youngsters.
The Chamber of Commerce urges all of its members, of which Leader Publications is one, to please get out and vote on Tuesday, May 6 in support of this millage renewal.
Please vote in favor of renewing this levy for Niles Community Schools on Tuesday.