Saline Area Schools Vote Primer

On Tuesday, Saline Area Schools District voters will go to the polls to vote on the $22 million bond proposal. Here's a quick a primer on the issue.

THE BOND QUESTION, AS IT APPEARS ON THE BALLOT:

Shall Saline Area Schools, Washtenaw County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Two Million Dollars ($22,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of:

remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; acquiring and installing educational technology in school buildings; acquiring school buses; and developing and improving playgrounds and sites?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2011, under current law, is -0- mill ($0.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). 

The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years.  The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.21 mills ($1.21 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

If the school district borrows from the State to pay debt service on the bonds, the school district may be required to continue to levy mills beyond the terms of the bonds to repay the State.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

If the proposal passes, it will mean an extension – for six years – on the 7-mill levy that was set to expire in 2024. Residents would continue to pay that rate until 2030.

About 75 percent of the money would be used for building infrastructure, such as new roofs and plumbing, and energy updates, including upgraded heating and cooling systems. The district is targeting 10 percent of the money to replace district computers and upgrade the district’s wireless network. Another five percent is planned for new equipment, including ovens to be used in the school cafeterias. About five percent of the money would be used to upgrade one of the county’s oldest bus fleets. The remainder would be used for site work, including a new turn lane at the high school and improved pick-up and drop-off sites.

The district could attempt to bring a smaller proposal to voters again in a future election, although school officials warn that failing to approve the bond Tuesday will cost the district its ability to borrow using the state qualified bond program, which typically allows for lower interest rates and costs.

Or, the district could try to pay for the improvements using general fund money typically used to pay teachers’ salaries and benefits. But after reducing the budget by $2.5 million annually in the last few years, and a possible $3.5 million annual reduction in revenues – and increased state pension costs due to changes coming from Lansing – that might not be a wise financial move.

In general, you’re voting where you always vote. But we’ve got a list, if you’re new to the area or haven’t voted in a while. Saline Area School District encompasses seven distinct communities. The following is a list of the town, as well as the location of their polling station. In general, you’re voting where you always vote.

Lodi Township — Farm Council Grounds, Building A, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.

Pittsfield Township (Included in Precinct 1) — Pittsfield Township Hall, 6201, W. Michigan Ave, Ann Arbor

Pittsfield Township (Included in Precinct 9) — Pittsfield Township Community Center, 701 W. Ellsworth

Bridgewater Township — Bridgewater Township Hall, at Braun and Clinton roads.

Freedom Township — Freedom Township Hall, 11508 Pleasant Lake Rd.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You will be asked to present a photo ID at the polls, such as a Michigan driver's license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or failed to bring it with them can still vote. You will need to sign a brief affidavit stating that you don't have a photo ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

A specially equipped voting station, called the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal,  is also available at each polling location for use by voters with disabilities.