The Munising Middle/High School building is pictured. The district is asking voters for 1.9 mills over 10 years for construction, repairs and upgrades to school infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Munising Public Schools)

By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MUNISING — Munising Public Schools will ask voters to consider a sinking fund tax levy on the May 2 ballot.

The district is asking for 1.9 mills over 10 years, which is $1.90 for each $1,000 of taxable value on a home, for the sinking fund, that would be used strictly for construction, remodeling, repairs, upgrades and replacement of school facilities, technology equipment, and school safety and security improvements.

If passed, the millage would provide an estimated $401,605 for this tax year and an estimated total revenue of $4,603,955 over 10 years.

MPS Superintendent Mike Travis said the school district never previously asked voters for a sinking fund millage, even though most regional districts have such funds.

“It’s important for the future of our district to have our voters consider this,” Travis said. “We have many facility needs our general fund cannot sustain over time, not without impacting what we offer to our students in the classroom.”

At 1.9 mills, for the owner of a $150,000 home, the cost would be 39 cents a day, he said.

In 2017, voters passed a $7.25 million bond, with most of the projects addressed in that bond geared toward the middle/high school building, Travis said.

According to information supplied by MPS, a bond is a lump-sum dollar amount the district borrows to fund capital projects that taxpayers repay over a period of years with interest. A sinking fund millage is considered a “pay-as-you-go” method for addressing smaller building remodeling projects and repairs.

“It’s key for people to understand that you can do some things with sinking funds that you cannot with bonds,” Travis said.

He also stressed that sinking funds never can be used for salaries or raises. Instead, they keep buildings repaired, safe and comfortable.

Travis said there are three “prongs” to the MPS sinking fund: safety and security, facility updates and improvements, and instructional technology.

Mather Elementary School, which houses students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, will be the focus of many of the upgrades and improvements, he said.

“Our community loves that building and wants it to remain a school, and there’s things that we need to do to make sure we take care of that building,” Travis said.

For example, he noted that Mather needs energy-efficient windows.

“Many of our windows don’t open, which presents interior climate issues, safety issues,” Travis said. “Many of the panes are broken and fogged over. It’s difficult to see through them.”

The school, he said, also has foundation issues, such as mortar degradation, that need to addressed. Another big project that would involve partnering with the city of Munising would include excavation work to develop a dedicated spot for parents to pick up and drop off their kids at Mather.

This project, Travis said, would alleviate youngsters having to walk on busy Elm Street, in front of vehicles, and between vehicles in angled parking.

“There are numerous things that we can do to improve Mather, make it safer and a more comfortable, pleasant place for the little ones to learn and the teachers to teach,” Travis said.

Additionally, he said there needs to be more security cameras throughout the district, doors with safety locks at Mather, outdoor lighting and other items.

“Nothing that we are proposing would be considered fluff or frills,” Travis said. “These are things that really are integral to the future of the district.”

Information on the sinking fund, including tax information, is available at https://munisingmi.sites.thrillshare.com/.

According to the website, community meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 22 in the Mather Elementary School Auditorium and 6:30 p.m. April 5 in the Munising High School cafeteria.

Regarding whether voters will pass the millage, Travis said, “We are excited and we’re hopeful because it will mean a lot of great things for our district moving forward.”

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