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.
The second proposal on the February 27th ballot seeks voter approval to renew and restore the ten-year, 18-mill non-homestead millage proposal originally approved by voters after the passage of Proposal A in 1994. To restore the full 18 mills, the proposal calls for renewing the current 17.8212 mills and adding an additional .5 mills. The additional .3312 mills will only be levied if the 18 mills are reduced due to the Headlee Amendment and fall below the maximum amount allowable of 18 mills. All school districts in the State of Michigan are required to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance.
The first proposal on the February 27th ballot is a $6.1 million no-tax-rate increase bond proposal designed to address Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) safety requirements, install vape detection sensors, update the learning environment, update instructional technology, replace parking lots and concrete, upgrade playgrounds, replace HVAC equipment and improve ventilation, purchase buses, improve athletic spaces and purchase athletic equipment, make interior/exterior infrastructure improvements, such as roofs, adding electronic signs, and replacing boilers.
When is the election?
The election will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available after January 18, and can be cast through Election Day.
Vassar Public Schools has placed two proposals on the February 27, 2024 ballot. To see a list of frequently asked questions, visit the following link https://5il.co/2ax05
The students and staff at Vassar Public Schools wish everyone a safe and happy winter break. We look forward to seeing students when school resumes on Monday, January 8!
Hey Vulcans!
The Board of Education has approved the two bond proposals for the February 27, 2024 Election, and we want to talk to you about it! Join us at the following events to learn more about the No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Proposal and the Non-Homestead Millage Proposal. Take a tour of the building, and ask us questions about the proposals:
Thursday, December 28, from 4 pm- 7 pm at Central Elementary for Soup with the Sup
Wednesday, January 10, from 5:30-8 pm at Townsend North for Cookies with Dot
Tuesday, February 13, from 4:30-6 pm in the 6-12 Auditorium for a Townhall Meeting.
Mark your calendars - someone special is coming to town...
The Grinch!
Join Officer Hammill, Central Shop Rite, and the Thumb Area Mud Runners as they try to grow the Grinch's heart three sizes on December 9 for the Stuff a Cruiser event. This is a great opportunity for local kids to meet the Grinch, decorate a cookie, do a craft, and help families in need.
Latch key families! There will be no latchkey this evening. Please make other arrangements for your students.
Attention Latchkey Families!
If you have any paperwork to turn in please do it as soon as possible to Central School. Your child/children will not be able to start without paperwork turned in.
There will be a parent meeting for current and new families on Friday, August, 18th from 5:00- 6:00 p.m.
Thank you,
Latchkey Director
Miss Daryse Foether
With school right around the corner... Think before you share: back-to-school photos.
Back-to-school photos often reveal personal information about your child. School name, grade, age, identifying features, etc.- these can all be used by predators and scammers.
Regardless of your privacy settings or friends, remember it is best to keep personal information to a minimum.
This week is the last week to turn in your School of Choice applications for the fall 23-24 school year! School of Choice applications are being accepted until August 11 for students in grades K-12. If you know a student outside the Vassar district who would like to attend one of our great schools, please contact Stacy in the Superintendent’s office at 989-823-8535 option 1 before it's too late!
Thank you to everyone who shared their input when we sent out a thought exchange asking, "What are some things you would most like to see in our facilities to support the success of our students?" We had a number of participants who provided us with great insight. The administration has gathered and reviewed all of your feedback. Please read the attached letter from Superintendent Blackwell for the latest update!
Thank you to those who participated in the thought exchange the district shared last month! We received great feedback from our Vulcan Community. Please look at the attached letter from Superintendent Blackwell, where she provides information from that thought exchange and more information on the no-tax-rate increase bond proposal and a non-homestead operating bond proposal.
On June 14, the Board of Education approved a new five-year Strategic Plan, which sets goals and creates a master plan for the district's future. This year-long process involved students, staff, families, community, and Board of Education members. Vassar Public Schools is proud to present the new Strategic Plan to our community and school families.
Remember the Meet Up and Eat Up summer feeding program is still taking place for children 0-18 and all special needs children 0-26! Join us weekdays July 10 thru July 29 at Central Elementary, where our food service program will provide breakfast and lunch free of charge. We will be closed July 3 -7 in observance of the holiday. Breakfast will be served from 7:45-8:15, while lunch will be served from 11:30-12:30. Daycares, students, and non-district students may all participate but must eat on the premises.
Tell your friend and family the School of Choice window for Vassar Schools is now open! School of Choice applications are being accepted until August 11 for students in grades K-12. If you know a student outside the Vassar district who would like to attend one of our great schools, please get in touch with Stacy in the Superintendent’s office at 989-823-8535 option 1.
Hey Vassar students, parents, community members, and staff!
Have you participated in the ThoughtExchange the district shared earlier this week asking: What are some things you would most like to see in our facilities in order to support the success of our students? If not you still have time. This exchange will be open until 11:59PM on June 30! We invite you to join the Exchange and help prioritize key areas by sharing and rating more thoughts through the link below. If you've already been a part of the conversation be sure to come back and rate more thoughts to help us find priority areas. https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/472043485
Read the attached letter from Superintendent Dorothy Blackwell!
Vassar parents, staff, community, businesses, and students we need your input "What are some things you would most like to see in our facilities to support the success of our students?". To gather your feedback, we're using a tool called ThoughtExchange. All of our voices matter, so your participation is crucial and valued. Click here to participate: https://tejoin.com/scroll/472043485
You'll be asked to respond to one open-ended question, consider and assign stars to some of the ideas shared by others (20 to 30 is ideal), and learn what's important to the group.
Your thoughts and stars are confidential. You can come back as often as you'd like to participate, and, in fact, we ask that you do come back to star some of the new ideas shared since you first participated. We will send reminder information over then next few weeks. Ratings are important as they will help us understand the most important areas to focus on! Thank you in advance for your help and input.
The last bell is about to ring but as our school year ends we want to take a minute to recognize some faces that are well known within the district: Mr. Corey Holland, Mrs. Ann Auernhamer, Mrs. Carla Phillips, Mrs. Tessa King. These four individuals have a combined 113 years of service to the Vassar Public School District! They have touched the lives of countless students, community members, and staff . Thank you for dedicating such a large portion of your life to being Vulcans and shaping young minds - Enjoy your Retirement!
