“We have trash cans in the corner of the gym to collect water,” said Gwinn Superintendent Dr. Sara Croney, “The roof is deeply in need of a repair.”

Gwinn schools have tried numerous times to pass a millage to accomplish these repairs but they have thus far been unaccepted by voters around Forsyth township, causing the issues to continue and get worse.

“Many of the named items on the ‘wish list’ were luxuries that may be desired, but not affordable in a small rural area with lower to middle income residents and retirees,” said Forsyth Township resident Gina Kastan.

Croney finds there to be two reasons why voters have not approved the millage increases and that a portion of voters find the repairs to be non-vital and that they are not used to funding a school.

Water damage and missing tiles are evidence of Gwinn schools struggling to deal with the disastrous roofing failure as increase millage proposals continue to get see minor support and loses in the elections it appears in. (Photo courtesy of Gwinn Area Community Schools)

“The group out there is used to having K.I. (Sawyer Air Force Base) pay for the schools,” Croney said, “The perception of a luxury is that we asked for a second gym.”

The original gym was built when women’s sports didn’t exist and the class sizes were smaller, Croney said. Gwinn schools currently rent a space for athletes to practice out at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.

“Forsyth Township needs to manage their funds better,” said Kastan. “Like the rest of us do.”

But athletes are not the only ones who are at a disadvantage with a small gym, so are the performing arts.

“We have gotten to the point where a lot of parents are coming to the concerts, so that is doubling the attendance in the gym,” said Croney. “I can’t and won’t fight the perception of fluff when I have to keep the doors open for education.”

Vinyl peels off of the chemistry lab cabinets at Gwinn schools, only one third of the gas lines and waterlines work in the lab and furniture is nearly 60 years old. Gwinn schools keep trying to pass a millage to change and fix these issues but the millage increase sees minor support and loses in the elections it appears in. (Photo courtesy of Gwinn Area Community Schools)

The recent proposed millage increase, to 3.1 equating to $3.1 for every $1,000 in taxable property value, would have varying effects on Forsyth residents as properties purchased recently may have more taxes than those purchased long ago that already have its taxable property value capped at a certain limit.

“I have compassion for those on fixed incomes, but they seem to think it’s (the millage increase) a lot more than what it is,” said Croney. “We are the lowest of the low for taxes, but they are just not used to paying it.”

Other members of Forsyth Township disagree with the idea that they have low taxes.

“Forsyth township does not have ‘low’ taxes,” said Kastan. “Our taxes are very high, yet we get no services. We pay for our own trash pick-up or we take it to the Forsyth recycling center. We have wells for water, propane for heat and plow our own roads. This millage would have increased our taxes almost $1000 a year. Even modestly priced homes in Gwinn selling for $200,000 would have had a taxable value of $100,000 and an increase in taxes of $310 a year. This is significant to someone who is struggling to pay their bills in the wake of rising food prices and inflation.”

Nicole Merlo, Marquette County Equalization Director, whose role is to assess property taxes for Marquette County declares that the increase affects less than the market value of a house.

“The millage increase is 3.1 mills. That is $3.10 per thousand dollars of taxable value. To determine the increase you would take the taxable, not assessed/market, value of the property and multiply by 3.1 and then divide by 1000, its mills per thousand dollars,” said Merlo. “The taxable value is not the same as the assessed value. The taxable value is capped and can only go up the rate of inflation or 5% whichever is less. The assessed value, or market, can increase or decrease yearly following the market. Depending on how long you have owned your home there could be a huge difference between the assessed and taxable value. It is important when estimating a tax increase you use the taxable value of your property and not the assessed.”

Gwinn schools also looks to improve its technological education room to compensate for the growing interest in teaching students trades. The current Gwinn program sees students build saunas for community members and has seen a great increase in public desire, as the saunas have a long waitlist for purchase.

“Right now those kids had to wait because we don’t have enough space,” Croney said.

Another subject of improvement is the security of the school entryway with its current numerous broken door mechanisms, and in a period where school shootings and school violence have risen Croney believes this is an uncompromisable issue.

“The component of a secure entryway, some people perceive it as fluff, but I can’t compromise my values,” said Croney. “I can’t live with myself if I leave them (students and faculty) at risk.”

Those who were looking to learn more about the issues facing the school with Croney and other Gwinn school administrators present, attended two Town Hall listening sessions on Monday at the K.I. Sawyer Elementary School at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.