Dear Community Members,
I am writing to you today with a matter of great importance and urgency regarding our school’s funding. As you may be aware, our basic non-homestead operational renewal, a critical component of Michigan’s school funding structure dating back to the 1990s, has unfortunately failed. This situation poses a significant challenge to our educational system, and I believe it is essential to address this openly and collaboratively as a community.
This basic non-homestead operational renewal is not just a financial mechanism; it is the lifeblood of our school’s operational budget. It primarily impacts non-homestead properties, such as businesses and second homes, not primary residences. This renewal ensures that schools receiving the minimum per-pupil funding from the State of Michigan can maintain their base foundation allowance. Without it, our school faces a daunting reality: a loss of $2.6 million in anticipated revenue. This directly affects our ability to provide quality education.
I understand the hesitation and discomfort that often accompany discussions about taxation. Indeed, who enjoys taxes? However, the tax in question is somewhat different. It is a capped 18 mill levy, which is the amount the state rolls back from the district state aid allotment for pupil funding as part of Proposal A. As a result, regardless of how much we levy, we are capped at the amount we are required to receive if we are to receive the minimum state-per-pupil foundational allowance.
We are at a crossroads where we must decide the future of our educational system. The failure of the operational renewal does not just impact our school; it impacts our community; it affects you and every single student, teacher, and staff member who is part of our community, our town. We must consider the long-term implications of this loss in funding: the potential increase in class sizes, the reduction in educational resources, and the impact on being able to provide a basic education program to our students.
In the coming months, we will be working through what’s next for us; I am sure we will have opportunities for you to be a part of that discussion. Your voice and your vote are crucial in this process. I encourage each of you to participate actively, ask questions, and express your concerns. Our goal is to find a path forward that not only addresses our immediate financial challenges but also strengthens our commitment to providing quality education for all of our
students.
We are a community that has always risen to challenges, and I am confident that together, we can navigate this situation with foresight and unity. Let’s come together to support our school, our students, and our future.
Thank you for your attention and your commitment to our community’s educational excellence.
Sincerely,
Donald Killingbeck, Superintendent