How will the non-homestead renewal and restoration millage impact farmland?
The impact on farmland depends on whether the farmland is part of a residence (primary homestead) or on a non-homestead farming property, the percentage of the land that is farmed, etc.
Join us for a Town Hall meeting in the 6-12 auditorium on Tuesday, February 13, from 5-6:30 to learn more about the upcoming bond proposal. This is an excellent opportunity to get your questions answered. If you cannot attend and have questions, don't worry; email us at eraymond@vassar.k12.mi.us or call 989-823-8535 option 1.
What is a non-homestead renewal and restoration millage?
A non-homestead renewal and restoration millage supports the school district’s general operating budget. The operating budget covers everything necessary to provide educational programs and services in Vassar Public Schools. The non-homestead replacement millage is not levied on primary residences (the home in which a homeowner lives); it only applies to businesses, second homes, vacant land, and rental property. All school districts in Michigan must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance.
In all Michigan school districts, the 18 mill non-homestead levy is subject to rollbacks per the Headlee Amendment to the Michigan Constitution. While school districts cannot levy more than 18 mills on non-homestead property, Vassar Public Schools is requesting approval of an additional .5 mill non-homestead levy to protect against future rollbacks when they occur.
The second proposal on the February 27 ballot is a 10-year, non-homestead renewal and restoration millage proposal. This millage does not impact the taxes on primary residences (the home in which a homeowner lives).
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Upgrading and constructing restrooms
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Updating the parking lot to improve drainage
Upgrading technology
• Installing Wi-Fi for the bus parking lot
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Purchasing two buses
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Adding stair handrails in the auditorium to address safety issues
• Adding storage closets to support the drama program
• Adding a vape detection system in restrooms
Updating mechanical and electrical systems
• Improving ventilation in the locker rooms
• Replacing the boiler to improve heating
• Replacing HVAC systems in the weight room, gym, and cafeteria and adding air conditioning
• Replacing HVAC controls to integrate the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) to create individual cooling and heating zones
• Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Replacing the baseball/softball scoreboards with an energy-efficient LED system
• Updating the softball/baseball bleachers to replace the wood bleachers that are deteriorating
• Replacing lighting at the football stadium to provide better illumination
• Replacing an electronic sign at the front of the building for school announcements
• Replacing football scoreboard with an energy-efficient LED system
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Installing a multi-use display to improve viewing at school events
• Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials
• Replacing broken weight room equipment that is used by gym classes and sports teams
• Replacing wrestling mats with roll-up mats for easier storage
Upgrading technology
• Installing innovative touch screens to support the educational and athletic program
• Updating Wi-Fi/technology at athletic fields
• Installing a portable, remote network cameras to support live streaming at events
Updating mechanical and electrical system
• Replacing HVAC systems in the gym and cafeteria and adding air conditioning
• Replacing HVAC controls to integrate the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) to create individual
• cooling and heating zones
• Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Resurfacing the walking path that students use to walk safely around the building and for
• exercise during recess, PE class, and before and after school programs
• Adding new bleachers to replace the wood bleachers that are deteriorating
• Adding an electronic sign to the front of the building for school announcements
• Replacing the service drive to update the crumbling surface
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Replacing the 20-year-old roof
Updating mechanical and electrical systems
• Replacing HVAC systems in the gym and cafeteria and adding air conditioning
• Replacing HVAC controls to regulate heat and air in classrooms
• Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Adding an electronic sign to the front of the building for announcements
• Upgrading the playground
• Replacing the service drive to update the deteriorating surface
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials
What will happen if voters do not approve the bond proposal?
The bond projects cannot be completed as proposed. If necessary, emergency repairs or updates will come out of the operating budget, taking away funds from the student educational program.
Why is the purchase of buses included in the bond proposal?
Purchasing school buses through the bond proposal relieves pressure on the general fund operating budget. It also ensures that the Vassar Public Schools’ bus fleet will be systematically upgraded as buses reach the end of their useful life. Two school buses will be purchased with the bond proposal revenue which will reduce the number of school buses leased by the school district.
How can approval of the bond proposal not raise the current tax rate?
Vassar Public Schools will extend its debt for the entirety of the bond, which will not require any tax rate increase to complete the projects.
We know our students and staff love snow days as the season finally has decided to show up we want to remind everyone of the district's snow day procedures.
As soon as a snow day is declared, the district will send a robocall, text message, and post closures on our website, App, and Facebook pages. We will also notify the following TV and radio stations: TV5, TV 12, TV 25, Fox 66, 98 FM, 102.5 FM, 93.3 FM, 104.5 FM, and 96.1 FM.
The district will not decide on after-school activities until roughly 1 pm on a snow day. We want to ensure that we provide every opportunity for after-school activities to continue as scheduled if it is safe. Pushing this announcement to later in the day allows road crews to address road conditions and the district to re-evaluate road conditions.
Who reviews bond proposal projects before they are placed on the ballot?
Bond Proposal projects must be reviewed and approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury. All renovations and upgrades must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Bond revenue and expenditures must be independently audited annually to ensure compliance with legal regulations.
How were the bond proposal projects identified?
As part of the Vassar Strategic Planning Process, school administrators obtained input from community members, parents, and staff to identify potential district-wide facility improvements for a 2024 no-tax-rate increase bond proposal.
Using a computerized platform called, Thought Exchange, participants shared their ideas for facility updates. Projects not included as part of the last bond proposal were also considered.
The Vassar Public Schools’ administrative team, along with engineers, construction managers, and architects, reviewed the suggested projects from the community, and the final project list was completed.
Good Evening Vulcan Families just a reminder that school resumes Monday! Make sure your students get to bed early and are on time. We can't wait to welcome students and staff back!
Can any of the bond proposal funds be used for employee salaries or operating expenses?
No. Bond proposal funds cannot be used for employee salaries. They also cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses. Bond proposal funds must be used only for purposes specified in the ballot language, and as required by state law, they must be independently audited.
Vassar Public Schools would like to congratulate Ms. Dorothy Blackwell on her retirement! While searching for a candidate to continue leading Vassar Public Schools, Erin Raymond, 6-12 Principal, will be placed as Interim Superintendent. Congratulations to Ms. Blackwell- thank you for everything you have done for the Vassar School District.
What can bond proposal revenue be used for?
• Bonds can be used for:
• Constructing additions to existing school buildings
• Remodeling existing school buildings
• Energy conservation improvements
• Site development and improvements
• Athletic and physical education facility development and improvements
• Playground development and improvements
• School bus purchases
• Purchasing loose furnishings and equipment (including administrative technology)
• Direct bond program costs, such as professional fees, election fees, issuance costs, qualification fees, insurance fees, and final audit costs
• Technology purchases are limited to hardware and communication devices that transmit, receive, or compute information for pupil instructional purposes only. The initial purchase of an operating system and customized application software is allowed if purchased with the initial hardware.
What is a bond?
A bond is a state-approved funding process for an identified list of projects. When voters approve a bond proposal, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the bond sale proceeds to pay for the bond proposal projects. Bonds are typically paid back in 20-30 years.
In many ways, the bonding process is like a homeowner refinancing their home and making payments over a period of years. The Vassar Public Schools no-tax-rate increase bond proposal length is 22 years.
