The Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education has released a community survey about a potential bond proposal that would help the district address critical facility infrastructure updates. (Journal photo by Abby LaForest)

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education recently announced that they are looking for community and taxpayer feedback on a plan to update district facilities.

In the Sept. 11 edition of The Mining Journal, information was published from MAPS which explained how back in 2024, the state of Michigan conducted infrastructure studies on MAPS and other school districts in the state. The results identified more than $100 of “critical infrastructure and building system needs for the district,” findings similar to an internal study that the district conducted on its own.

The full study from the state of Michigan can be read on MAPS website at mapsnet.org/page/facilities-planning.

Physical copies of the survey were mailed out last week, explaining that in 2023, Marquette-area voters renewed a sinking fund which provides MAPS with $1.3 million annually for building repairs. The district, according to the survey, would need to ask local voters to consider a bond proposal to fund significant building updates like those identified in the infrastructure studies. Therefore, before moving forward, the district wishes to collect feedback from the community and taxpayers.

Regional millage comparisons for 2024 debt and sinking funds show that MAPS’ share of local property taxes are below many neighboring districts and below the state average. Marquette has a 1.31 millage levied, which is only higher than Burt Township at 1.14 mill and Republic-Michigammee at zero.

The infrastructure studies identified challenges within the district and sorted them by critical need; Priority One-Most Critical; Priority Two-Additional Building System Improvements; Priority Three-Indoor Multipurpose Facility and Priority Four-Early Childhood Education Center. The breakdowns for each category are as follows.

Priority One Projects:

• Many elevators, restrooms and interior doors don’t meet current ADA standards.

• Many HVAC systems, including boilers and controls, are outdated and inefficient.

• The average age of the buildings is 60 years, and as a result, electrical panels and technology infrastructure don’t meet today’s academic needs.

• Asbestos must be removed in the more updated areas.

• Furniture and finishes are largely original and are worn, with many beyond repair.

• Interior finishes (such as floors, ceilings and lockers) are worn and need to be replaced.

• Many classrooms are outdated and have inefficient layouts, including some set up as cubicles.

• The career and technical education “shop,” Kaufman Auditorium, music and art spaces have poor heating, ventilation, and layouts. The areas also lack storage.

• Gym floors are too worn to refinish, and locker rooms in both the middle and high schools are in poor condition.

• Multiple structures, such as the press box, are beyond repair and require complete renovation or replacement.

To fund Priority One projects, the district would need to secure funding through a voter-approved bond proposal. According to MAPS, the proposal would likely be financed up to 30 years, similar to a home mortgage. District leaders prioritized potential projects for community feedback. If the community supports exploring a bond proposal at this time, the district developed a $60 million base plan that would address the Priority One projects. MAPS projects that the mills would be at 1.55 over the current level, and annual property taxes would increase by approximately $77.50 per $100,000 of property value ($50,000 of taxable value.)

If approved, the bond proposal could be expanded to pay for Priority Two projects while construction crews are already onsite.

Priority Two Projects:

• Update building exteriors (roof sections, windows, and tuckpointing,) especially at Bothwell Middle School and Marquette Senior High School.

• Update additional interior finishes such as ceilings, floors, cabinets and library/media centers.

• Replace additional mechanical systems (such as HVAC controls in more buildings) as needed.

• Update fire alarm systems, security cameras/access points, generators and lights.

Approval of Priority Two Projects would expand the bond proposal to $70 million. MAPS projects that the mills would be at 1.80 over the current level, and annual property taxes would increase by approximately $90 per $100,000 of property value ($50,000 of taxable value.)

Additionally, survey participants have the option to select if they would be interested in supporting a proposal set at $80 million (projected 2.05 mills above current, taxes at approximately $102.50 per $100,000 property value) and one set at $90 million (projected 2.35 mills above current, taxes at approximately $117.50 per $100,000 property value.) If voters choose to support the $90 million proposal, MAPS says they could consider Priority Three and Priority Four projects with that funding.

Priority Three Projects:

• An Indoor Multipurpose Facility for fall and spring sports. Programming for physical education, athletics, extracurricular activities, band practice and others is currently hindered due to seasonally poor weather and limited indoor space.

• Cost Breakdown for Priority Three: $97.5 million total for the bond proposal with $130 tax increase per $100,000 of property value (A $90 million base with prior projected tax increases and $7.5 million for the facility with an additional $12.50 projected tax increase.)

Priority Four Projects:

• An Early Childhood Education Center. This would build an early learning center near the high school. It would be located in a separate building. Serving three- and four-year-old children, this center would provide a childcare option and reading/literacy support for students before they enter kindergarten.

• Cost Breakdown for Priority Four: $102.5 million total for the bond proposal with a $137.50 tax increase per $100,000 of property value. (A $90 million base with prior projected tax increases, $7.5 million for the indoor multipurpose facility with an additional $12.50 projected tax increase, and $5 million for the early childhood education center with an additional $7.50 projected tax increase.)

With the sheer amount of information present in the survey and the likelihood of questions, MAPS is hosting two Community Survey Information Sessions for the community to learn more about the current facilities challenges and how to take the district-wide survey. The sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m. on both Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 at the Marquette Senior High School Little Theatre, located at 1203 W. Fair Ave. The sessions are open for all to attend and no RSVP is required.

There are two ways to take the survey – online and via physical postage. Your feedback is confidential and responses will be collected by School Perceptions, an independent education research firm. The survey deadline is Oct. 3. Survey results will be reported at an October board meeting and available on the MAPS website following the meeting.

The online version of the survey can be accessed by going to spfeedback.com and entering the code TNLY-SGYX-VSVQ-KVRN. The paper version of the survey can be returned to any MAPS school office or mailed to the following address:

• School Perceptions

• P.O. Box 607

• Slinger, WI 53086

The survey code can only be used once. To obtain additional surveys for other adults in your household, please call the District Office at 906-225-4200 or email mapsinfo@mapsnet.org. If you need additional support to complete the survey, or have any additional questions, please contact the District Office.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.