Saline Should Vote Yes and Stand By What It Has Built

On Tuesday, voters in the Saline Area Schools district should vote YES on the proposal to for the improvement of the district’s facilities.

It’s important, at this time, to put aside political philosophies that often drive debates about government spending. These debates are happening all over the country, and they are important. In this case, however, idealistic debates must take a backseat to practical concerns.

The taxpayers in the Saline school district are responsible for more than $200 million in assets. Saline’s school facilities are first-class and among the best in the state. Voters made that call more than 10 years ago, when they funded the construction of a brilliant new and as well as the improvements of other schools as part of the $124 million bond issue approved in 2000.

In 2000, voters set the standard. The political and economic landscape of Michigan has dramatically changed since then. However, we are responsible to maintain what we own.

Quite simply, passing this proposal says, loud and clear, that Saline stands by what it builds. Fixing roofs and replacing 10- and 15-year-old buses is simply part of the cost of operating schools. Some will say that the district should pay for this out of the general fund and take money from the classroom to spend on bricks and mortar. While that sounds great, it’s just not how things are done in Michigan schools. Intended or not, Proposal A has resulted in a system where school districts pay for teachers and other day-to-day operations with money received from the state. That leaves local residents to pay for facility maintenance and upgrades with tax dollars collected through sinking-fund millages and bonds. Taking money from the classroom would punish Saline students.

The district has already reduced its budget by $2.5 million annually. The budget just recently announced by Gov. Rick Snyder may force another $3.7 million cut in the annual budget. As it stands today, that cut would burn through the district’s fund balance and put Saline schools in a deficit situation. So finding money in the general fund is, again, not practical.

It’s important to note, also, that this proposal does not raise taxes—not yet, anyway. Residents currently pay a 7-mill levy that expires in 2024. This proposal would extend that levy until 2030. Critics of the plan are certainly correct when they say that there is a tax increase here. And they certainly have a point when they say that the district will probably come back for more money before the bond expires. It is somewhat troubling to reconstruct roofs that will need to be replaced before they are paid for, and to pay for technology upgrades that may be obsolete in five or 10 years, let alone 20. But it’s also important to remember this is the way important work gets done without costing taxpayers more money right now—when they can least afford it.

School bond proposals often come at a price tag that hurts seniors and people on fixed incomes. This proposal smartly avoids that. This proposal will not, as some have claimed, tax anyone from their home.

In August, voters rejected a $28 million proposal 2,782-2,629. The school board and administration have found a way to cut $6 million from the plan. They should be commended for hearing the voters and reducing the scope of the project to make it more palatable to taxpayers.

Now it’s your turn.

On Tuesday, stand by what you’ve built. Vote yes.