MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Houghton-Portage twp. School District is asking voters to approve a $23 million dollar bond proposal.
Superintendent, Anders Hill is very proud of his school district. Their elementary school was nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon School, and their high school was among the top 1.5% in the nation in schools with STEM programs. Anders feels the success of the schools warrants an investment by the residents.
“Every year, we’re trying to be a better school and improve what we’re doing. And, like I said, I hope that people see the value in this, and if they do, they’ll support it,” said Hill.
Anders went on to explain the actual cost to taxpayers
“Over the lifetime of that bond, the simple average annual millage would be 2.77 Mills, which is $2.77 on each $1,000 of taxable value,” said Hill.
There is opposition to this proposal, with detractors pointing out that school-choice students from outside the district will reap the benefits of the plan without paying their fair share.
“Not everybody’s going to support it, but hopefully, people see that we’ve been good stewards of what we’ve been given, and support what we’re doing moving forward. Half of it would go to an early learning center, where we would move our kindergartners, which would create some space at our elementary school,” explained Hill. “The other half would go for security upgrades, with secure entries, upgrading all of our science and chemistry. labs, our CTE welding wood shop. Create a robotics lab and a small engines lab, and really elevate education and Houghton.”
Voters will decide when they head to the polls on November 5th.
