1. education
2. school

The Argus-Press
■
Owosso, Michigan
■
Thurs., Feb. 19, 2015
7
TROJAN TIMES
Owosso Public Schools • www.owosso.k12.mi.us • Ready for the World!
2013 debt millage* for
districts around Owosso
Bond Proposal Facts
IMPACTING OUR PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNIT Y
What are we voting on?
Why is this important?
For less than the cost of a new high school (estimated at $94
million) or a new middle school (estimated at $72 million), this
bond proposal, in the amount of $54.125 million for 30 years,
provides new and renovated learning facilities for 6th-12th grade
students and significant improvements in all schools. Architects
have praised the solid construction and innovative design of the
existing high school, built in 1962. It is an excellent building to
renovate to include learning spaces for middle school students,
creating two new schools under one roof.
It has been 41 years since Owosso Public Schools’ last major
facility improvement project. School buildings, like homes, wear
out over time and need renovation and maintenance. Now is the
ideal time to make critical upgrades due to excellent financing
options and competitive construction costs.
Owosso Public Schools has outstanding teachers that provide
tremendous academic opportunities for our students. The only
thing we are missing are the facilities to match. This proposal
delivers the most opportunities for our students and community
with the least costs.
How do students and
community members benefit?
Academic and Infrastructure Upgrades
• Renovate 58 existing classrooms at the current
high school: new flooring, new ceilings, visual
display boards, lighting
unit ventilators/controls
and paint
• Construct 20 new
classrooms at the new
middle school and high
school campus
• Expand the Career & Technical Education (a.k.a
Vocational Education) classes offered at the new
middle school and high school campus to meet
the needs of the local and global economy
• Build a cafeteria
for middle school
students at the new
middle school and
high school campus
• Build a new parking
lot and driveway
at the new middle
school and high
school campus to accommodate parents, staff,
and community members
• Installation of air conditioning systems at
Bentley, Central,
Bryant, Emerson,
Washington and the
new middle school and
high school campus
Safety Upgrades in All
Schools
• Replace aging fire
alarm/exit systems
• Enhance security
systems
Technolog y Upgrades in
All Schools
• Computers
• Interactive classroom
technology
• Multi-media
presentation
technology
• Phone system
Transportation Needs
• Purchase four new busses
Performing Arts Upgrades
• Build a 1,000 seat auditorium at the new middle
and high school campus (current high school
auditorium only seats 366)
• Build new classrooms
for performing arts
(dance, choir, drama,
and band)
Athletic Upgrades
• Build a new two
court gymnasium at
the new middle and
high school campus
for middle school and
community use
• Build a new eight lane swimming pool at the
new middle
and high school
campus that meets
MHSAA guidelines,
has ample
spectator seating,
and will allow
greater community
access to the
existing pool
Haslett: 10.36 mills
DeWitt: 10 mills
Holt: 10 mills
Laingsburg: 8.7 mills
Fowlerville: 8.34 mills
East Lansing: 8.1 mills
Bath: 8 mills
New Lothrop: 7.92 mills
Ovid-Elsie: 7.8 mills
Durand: 7.75 mills
Webberville: 7.4 mills
Morrice: 7 mills
Perry: 7 mills
St. Johns: 7 mills
Okemos: 7 mills
Corunna: 2.4 mills
Flint: 0 mills
Mt. Morris: 0 mills
Kearsley: 0 mills
Byron: 0 mills
Owosso: 0 mills
*Information obtained from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/lea_millage_39045_7.pdf
and is a State Aid Finance report dated 4/30/2014 for the 2013 taxable year.
Whatis
is in
in aa Number?
What
Number?
Owosso
Public
Bond
Proposal
Owosso
PublicSchools’
Schools’ Bond
Proposal
February
24,
2015
February 24, 2015
Number
0
27
58/552
20
86
74
94
54
1840
30
1973
1988
2002
1969
1928
3400
3
1998
24
What Does This Number Mean?
The Owosso Public Schools have 0 debt.
The Owosso Public Schools have had 0 debt for 27 years.
58 out of the 552 school districts in the State of Michigan have 0 debt.
It would cost $20 million to renovate the existing middle school.
Owosso Middle School is 86 years old.
It would cost $74 million to build a new middle school.
It would cost $94 million to build a new high school.
The current bond proposal is for $54 million. The proposal includes renovating the
existing high school, adding classrooms to create a new middle school, a new gymnasium,
a new cafeteria, a new pool, a new auditorium, new parking lots, and increased security
and technology capabilities district-wide. In addition, it would provide air conditioning
capabilities district-wide to allow for the buildings to be used year round. The proposal
also includes the purchase of four new buses to replace our aging fleet.
The first school building was built in Owosso in 1840.
The proposed millage is for 30 years.
Owosso Public Schools last passed a bond in 1973.
The last bond was paid off in 1988 (27 years ago).
The last time an Owosso Public Schools bond millage was on the ballot. The proposal
asked voters to support the construction of a new middle school in the amount of
$31,930,000.
Bentley Elementary School was built in 1969. As the newest building in the district,
Bentley now operates as the district’s early childhood education center offering
exceptional preschool and child care programs.
Construction began on the current Owosso Middle School in 1928.
Owosso Public Schools serve approximately 3400 students.
Owosso currently has 3 mills for Sinking Fund. The Sinking Fund is not a debt millage.
If the bond proposal passes, the district will not need to ask for the full 3 mills because
the middle school and high school will be like new. The Sinking Fund has been used in
all of our aging facilities for new roofs, new parking lots, new windows, HVAC, etc. It
was most recently used to renovate Willman Field.
The Owosso community voted on and approved the Sinking Fund in 1998. Projects
began in 1999.
Vote on February 24, 2015.
What is my estimated cost?
There are many factors that determine your exact cost such
as income, age (senior citizen), and disability status. Please use
the Personalized Property Tax Calculator on the Owosso Public
Schools website to determine your personal cost. If you need assistance or do not have internet access, please visit or call the
Administration Office at 989-723-8131.
Remind friends and family
to vote on February 24, 2015!
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT!
Visit www.owosso.k12.mi.us to learn more about the bond proposal
(photos, history, frequently asked questions, etc.).
Call 989-723-8131 for more information.
Tuttle’s Thoughts
Over the past several months I, along with
others, have made every effort to educate
our community members about the February
24th school bond election. Since the August
announcement of the proposal, the facts have
been consistent and the plan has not varied.
Now only a few days remain before the vote.
My goal was to educate you, the voter, so that
you are able to make an educated decision.
The decision is now in the hands of the
community. Please make your voice heard on
February 24th.
Last week’s riddle: I have a three digit
number in my mind. In that number, the tens
digit is seven more than the ones digit and the
hundreds digit is six less than the tens digit.
What is the number? Answer: 281.
This week’s riddle: They have not flesh, nor
feathers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet they have
fingers and thumbs of their own. What are
they?
Proud to be a Trojan,
Frequently Asked Questions
One Million Dollar
Challenge Grant
On January 26, The Cook Family Foundation
announced a one million dollar grant opportunity
for the Owosso Public Schools, contingent on voter
approval of the proposed bond issue on February
24. If the community votes to upgrade its school
facilities, the Foundation will provide $500,000
for equipment to outfit vocational education classrooms and $500,000 to support development and
use of a pool for community use.
The Foundation does not take positions on any
ballot measures. Bruce Cook had this to say about
the millage election, “Strong schools are critical to
the future of our community, the health of its economy, and the success of our young people,” said
Bruce Cook. “If the community makes a decision to
invest in the Owosso Public Schools, then we want
to do our part too.”
Q: How much debt does Owosso Public
Schools currently have?
A: Owosso Public Schools has zero debt and
has had zero debt for 27 years (1988-present). Although the community supported
sinking fund has allowed the district to maintain the facilities and create some energy efficiencies since its inception in 1999, overall,
the aging facilities result in a drain on general fund dollars for repairs and operation
costs that cannot be funded through sinking
funds. General fund dollars have been committed to the academic advancements in the
district, leaving no additional funds to refurbish existing school buildings or construct
new facilities.
Q: Would the intent be to continue to
own the current middle school and rent
it, or would the intent be to sell it?
A: This decision would be determined by further exploration with potential partners with
the goal of moving forward with a plan that
is best for the district and the community.
Q: How would high school and middle
school students be separated?
A: The proposed building is like two buildings under one roof with separate amenities.
If you are nervous about your child interacting with older students, he/she may remain
on the middle school side of the facility.
However, if parents choose for their child
to utilize the opportunities that are offered
Q: How many school districts in the state for advanced placement and electives on the
have school debt?
high school side of the facility, they have that
A: 494 of the 552 school districts in the State option.
of Michigan had recorded debt on the books
during 2013 (the latest data available).
A complete listing of questions
Owosso Public Schools has been debt free
and answers can be found
for 27 years.
on the OPS website.
FEBRUARY
Superintendent
MONDAY Feb. 23
TUESDAY Feb. 24
THURSDAY Feb. 26
FRIDAY Feb. 27
Board of Education meeting 7 p.m. OHS media center
Emerson Vision and Hearing Screening
7th Grade Girls Basketball v. Williamston 4 p.m. & 6 p.m.
8th Grade Girls Basketball @Williamston 4 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Boys Freshman Basketball @ Corunna 5:30 p.m.
Girls Freshman Basketball v. Corunna 5:30 p.m.
Boys JV Basketball @ Corunna 7 p.m.
Girls JV Basketball v. Corunna 7 p.m.
ELECTION DAY
Bryant Chess Club 3:45 p.m.
Emerson Vision and Hearing Screening
OHS Art Chair Auction 6 p.m.
OMS Wrestling @ Williamston 4:30 p.m.
Boys Varsity Basketball v. Corunna 6 p.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball v. Corunna 7:30 p.m.
Half Day Elementary ONLY: Afternoon &
Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
LHS Basketball v. LSC of Pontiac 5 p.m.
( Washington Gym)
Boys Freshman Basketball v. Haslett 5:30 p.m.
Girls Freshman Basketball @ Haslett 5:30 p.m.
Boys JV Basketball v. Haslett 7 p.m.
Girls JV Basketball @ Haslett 7 p.m.
Emerson hosts author
Jonathan Rand assembly 2 p.m.
Varsity Swimming
@ Mason CAAC 4 p.m.
Boys Varsity Basketball
@ Haslett 6 p.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball
@ Haslett 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY Feb. 25
Emerson Vision and Hearing Screening
OHS Graduation Announcement delivery
SATURDAY Feb. 28
Varsity Swimming @ Mason CAAC 2 p.m.