Multiple districts — Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day, and several area school districts have education-related items on the ballot.
Voters in Kelloggsville, Comstock Park, Kenowa Hills and Rockford will be asked to weigh in on funding requests for their respective districts.
Most of the requests deal with districts’ non-homestead operating millages, which are taxes local schools must levy on businesses and non-principal residences to receive their full per-pupil foundation allowance. But there’s also a multimillion-dollar bond on the ballot for one district.
Here’s a look at ballot items impacting Kent County schools.
Comstock Park Public Schools
Comstock Park is asking voters to consider a Headlee override millage that would give the district a 3-mill buffer to offset possible future reductions in its 18-mill non-homestead operating millage.
Approval of the proposal would allow the district to continue to levy the full, state-authorized 18 mills, with a bit more protection and security. No more than 18 mills would be levied in any given year.
Read more about Comstock Park’s proposal.
Kelloggsville Public Schools
Kelloggsville Public Schools voters are being asked to consider a $38.1 million bond proposal to address building and safety needs.
The bond would address traffic-flow issues at Central Kelloggsville; renovate the district’s oldest building, West Kelloggsville; and relocate the district’s main tennis facility to 52nd Street, in front of the administration building. If approved, the bond also would fund districtwide updates to furniture, technology and facilities.
The bond would not increase taxes because the district’s 2018 bond expires in 2027. The district estimates the debt millage rate would be 2.15 mills in 2027 if the bond is approved.
Read more about Kelloggsville’s proposal
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
The Kenowa Hills community will be asked to consider a non-homestead operating millage proposal that would authorize the district to continue levying 18 mills on non-homestead properties from 2027 through 2036.
The district’s operating millage generates around $17 million annually and represents approximately 30% of its day-to-day operating budget. The district relies on the funding to provide programs, services, transportation, utilities and classroom resources for staff and students.
Read more about Kenowas Hills’ proposal
Rockford Public Schools
Rockford voters will consider a non-homestead operating millage proposal that would ensure the district continues to receive its full state funding allotment for another four years.
Rockford’s proposal has an extra 3 mills of Headlee protection baked into it, but the district would not levy more than 18 mills in any given year.
Rockford’s current millage, expiring in 2027, generates around $9.5 million annually in general fund dollars, representing around 8% of the district’s overall budget. Funds are used for day-to-day operations, including staffing, programs and classroom supplies.
Read more about Rockford’s proposal.
Reporter Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.
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