A bond proposal from Baldwin Community Schools will be up for approval on the Nov. 8 midterm ballot in Lake County.
Pioneer file photoLAKE COUNTY — A bond proposal from Baldwin Community Schools will be up for approval on the Nov. 8 midterm ballot in Lake County.
According to district information on the proposal, if passed it will allow the district to invest in much-needed security and safety enhancements, and update aging buildings, replace old roofing and more.
The 2022 bond proposal is a 3.9 mill increase to what property owners are paying today and would generate about $54 million for necessary upgrades and updates to aging equipment, buildings and facilities.
According to the language of the proposal, the maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 28 years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 4.35 mills, or $4.35 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation.
The school district does not expect to borrow from the state to pay debt service on the bonds.
The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $605,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.
If passed, the bond reportedly would support the replacement of the outdated junior/senior high school building and equip classrooms with the latest technology to help ensure our students can receive instruction in an advanced environment, and provide new instructional technology and programming to create real-life, hands-on experiences.
It would also support constructing a new secondary school sixth through 12th grades, replacing the existing building which is nearly 60 years old and has become too costly and outdated to repair, as well as replacing or installing new technology, lighting, furniture, flooring and fixtures at the existing elementary school.
Other proposed projects include reconfiguring, resurfacing and expanding the parking lot, drop-off and pick-up areas to improve traffic flow and student safety, resurfacing all playground areas, and updating and constructing new athletic facilities.
According to the district, if passed, expenditures will be audited to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and transparently.
For more information on the bond proposal, visit the district’s website at www.baldwin.k12.mi.us.
