Howell Public Schools is hosting an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the Northwest Elementary media center to help inform the community about the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond proposal.
The Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond proposal will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot for district residents. If approved, the bond proposal would provide $258 million for improvements in the district while expecting to maintain the current tax rate of 5.5 mills.
If approved, the bond proposal would fund the highest priority improvements in each of the district’s schools and focus on five key areas:
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Safety & security – security cameras, bollards, building air quality, ADA upgrades, window blinds, door hardware, building access controls, life safety systems, and buses.
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Learning environments – new Northwest Elementary and Southwest Elementary Schools, additional learning space at Challenger Elementary School, major renovations at Highlander Way Middle School.
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Teaching tools – classroom and student instructional technology and classroom furnishings.
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Aging building infrastructure – pavement, asphalt, select roof replacements, flooring, lockers, upgrades to air conditioning, boilers and electrical systems for increased efficiency.
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Community needs – new Community Center and new youth baseball and softball fields.
“This meeting will be an opportunity for our community to come and learn about the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal. During the presentation, we will share the process that led to placing the bond proposal on the ballot and the various projects included in the proposal,” said Erin J. MacGregor, Howell Public Schools superintendent. “We will also have time for community members to ask any questions they may have about the proposal.”
“There was a very detailed process that led to the Board of Education placing the bond proposal on the ballot, with input sought from a very broad section of the community, including students, parents, staff, and community members,” said Jason Bedford, Howell Board of Education trustee. “The bond proposal includes much-needed infrastructure overhaul that can be accomplished if the proposal is approved, but also some very meaningful high-impact projects. I’m very excited about the proposal.”
The district can fund the bond proposal while expecting to maintain the current tax rate of 5.5 mills due to rising home values, expiring debt, and extending the current rate by eight years. The district’s tax rate of 5.5 mills is currently and is expected to remain the lowest of any Livingston County public school district.
Northwest Elementary is located at 1233 Bower St. in Howell Attendees should park in the school’s main parking lot and enter through the main entrance.
To learn more about the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond proposal, visit HowellSchools.com/Bond.
