ROCK, Mich. (WZMQ) – Voters have approved the Mid Peninsula School District’s sinking fund. This was the third time the proposal was on the ballot, finally passing with 53% of the votes during this years August 8th election.
Previously the millage proposal failed with higher millage rates of 3, and then 2 mills. The districts superintendent, Eric VanDamme, said the school board worked with the community to see what they could do differently to get the fun approved.
The millage passed 185 to 161 votes last week, at a rate of 1 mill, meaning home owners can expect a property tax increase of $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. VanDamme said the millage should bring in $90,000 to $120,000 a year for the sinking fund, for the next ten years.
“This takes a huge stress off our general fund dollars,” VanDamme said. “This will allow our general fund money to be spent in the classroom where it should be, and the sinking fund will support the building and the infrastructure around it.”
The schools exterior doors are newer, but VanDamme said the safety of the students is the school’s first priority. He said he hopes to replace classroom doors and locks before tackling other projects to make improvements to the aging building.
“Our building is 40 years old almost.” VanDamme said. “We want to work on some of the day to day stuff that needs to be updated like floors. I know our track and our gym need some TLC.”
Mid Peninsula School will be back in session Wednesday, August 30th. VanDamme said he’s focused on getting the school year off to a good start, but he’s excited to start on improvements as soon as they can.
