A presentation and Q&A regarding the Sturgis Public Schools bond proposal is set for 5:30 p.m. April 23 at Sturgis District Library.
The proposal is on the May 5 election ballot for city of Sturgis residents.
The informational session contains four basic components, according to superintendent Art Ebert:
- Overview of the process used to develop the proposal.
- Summary of current district facilities and historical details related to capital improvement cost
- Overview of the proposal, including specific projects that are expected.
- Segment to field questions from community members.
If the request is approved, the bond millage rate remains intact, and would be extended at the current rate of 7 mills, with no tax rate increase.
One mill is equal to $100 of tax for every $100,000 of a property’s taxable value.
If passed, funds would be available in two series. Series one funds would become available in 2027, and series two funds would become available in 2029.
If the proposal fails, school-levied property tax would drop within a few years.
A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for a large capital expenditure.
It differs from a building site and sinking fund. Bond proposals typically are intended for major, long-term borrowing for large-scale projects, allowing bonds to be sold to provide up-front funding, which is paid with interest over time, while BSSF provides annual revenue which is better suited for smaller, ongoing repairs or upgrades on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
Voter-approved bond funds may be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment and other capital needs. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks.
Bond funds are kept separate from operating funds and expenditures are required to be audited by an independent firm.
A few basic categories how the district plans to use funding: - Upgrades related to Americans With Disabilities Act.
- Athletic turf installation.
- Renovation of high school media center, and some classrooms and restrooms.
- Thumbturn classroom lock installation.
- New roofing at some facilities.
- Construction of a new aquatic center, and renovation of the community pool for a new use.
- Fabrication lab renovation and expansion.
- Secure vestibule Installation.
- Parking lot and driveway redesign.
- Replacement of boilers and fuel tanks.
- Several projects involving athletic facilities, including turf replacement, track expansion, grandstand construction and locker rooms.
Planning for the bond proposal began in early 2025, and has involved numerous steps. Here is a timeline of the process.
March 2025: Survey launched to gather interest in serving on the community steering committee
July 22, 2025: Community steering committee meeting.
July 31, 2025: Joint community and district steering committee meeting.
Aug. 6, 2025: Community engagement session #1.
Aug. 25, 2025: Community engagement session #2.
Sept. 23, 2025: Community engagement session #3.
Oct. 9, 2025: Community steering committee meeting.
Oct. 15, 2025: District steering committee meeting.
Oct. 20, 2025: Recommendations reviewed at the board of education meeting.
Oct. 29, 2025: Recommendations discussed at the finance committee meeting.
Nov. 9, 2025: Recommendations reviewed at the board of education retreat.
Nov. 17, 2025: Proposal approved by the board of education.
December-January 2026: Review and approval of application for the bond issue by Michigan Department of Treasury.
Jan. 12, 2026: Resolution calling the election approved by the board of education.
