Tony Bertucci, associate superintendent of finance for the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, explains the bond proposal for Ishpeming Public Schools at Monday’s IPS Board of Education meeting. If approved by voters, the funds would go toward improvements in district schools. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

ISHPEMING — Ishpeming Public Schools is asking for voter approval of a bond proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot for construction, renovations and improvements at Birchview Elementary School as well as Ishpeming Middle/High School.

Superintendent Carrie Meyer stressed at Monday’s board meeting that the proposal is a no-mill increase over the prior year’s levy. The IPS Board of Education is requesting voters approve the selling of bonds of no more than $3.9 million to fund the projects. The funds can be used only for the projects as stated in the application to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

“Investing in our community is important because it does provide a better learning environment for our children,” Meyer said.

The proposal, she said, is to levy 1.05 mills for 18 years, which would replace a bond for which the last payment will be in May. If the bond proposal is approved, the money would be levied for the first time in July.

A mill is equivalent to $1 in taxes per $1,000 in taxable value. For example, if a property has a taxable value of $100,000 and the assessment is 1 mill, the owner will pay $100 in taxes.

Meyer called it the “perfect time” to conduct a bond proposal because no more money is being asked from the community.

“As we’re paying off one (bond), we’re approving another so it will be a no-mill increase,” Meyer said. “We’re going to maintain the same exact levy as we have during 2021.”

Projects planned for Birchview include a new roof.

“We do have some leaking over in that building,” said Meyer, who noted it has to be repaired “year after year.”

Also needed, she said, is a new rooftop heating/cooling unit, plus the playground equipment continually is being repaired. If the proposal is approved, a new play structure would be installed.

“That structure is used in the morning before school starts,” Meyer said. “It’s used from. … 11 to 2 every day and then after school — and honestly, it’s a playground for the community.”

She noted that if funding allows for it, the Hematite Pre-school would get a new play structure.

Tony Bertucci, former IPS director of services and now associate superintendent of finance for Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, has been working closely with Meyer on the bond proposal.

He pointed out that a new playground structure would include a permanent safety surface, not wood chips, which would make it safer and cleaner.

At the middle/high school, many projects are catered to the old auxiliary gymnasium, which was the original gym for the high school, Meyer said.

“It’s a big project that needs to happen,” she said.

Bertucci said the project, which would “cover every aspect of the gym,” would begin with a new roof deck, with the ceiling painted and new LED lighting installed. A new floor and electric bleachers also are in the plan.

Other improvements to the middle/high school include:

≤ a partial new roof on the high school. The current rubber roof is over 30 years old, and a section of the copper roof over the science wing that is 90 years old requires replacement due to leaks.

≤ new rooftop heating/ cooling units.

≤ paving of the student parking lot.

≤ a play structure for the middle school.

≤ new exterior doors.

≤ lighting upgrades.

“We’ve only had one rooftop unit running for about the last decade,” Bertucci said. “You get one working, the other konks out.”

Meyer addressed the need for a new playground.

She said that since the closure of C.L. Phelps Middle School, students in fifth through eighth grades have been at the middle/high school.

“Anyone who sees fifth and sixth graders, they’re still little children that need some play area,” Meyer said.

The plan is to put in a new age-appropriate play structure next to the parking lot, she said, where students can go during lunch recess.

“They can get outside, get some fresh air, run around instead of being cooped up in the gym, and then that also can act as a playground for the community too, for the residents in this area,” Meyer said.

Regarding lighting upgrades in the classrooms in the middle/high complex, Bertucci said, “There will be substantial energy rebates available for the project in addition to just much better, cleaner light.”

The result will be every light fixture in the building will be “pretty much LED,” he said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.