Who reviews bond proposal projects before they are placed on the ballot?
Bond Proposal projects must be reviewed and approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury. All renovations and upgrades must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Bond revenue and expenditures must be independently audited annually to ensure compliance with legal regulations.
Due to inclimate weather, Vassar Public Schools will be closed today, Wednesday, January 10th. Please stay safe and warm!
Attention Vulcan families! Be on the lookout this week for important information about our upcoming February Intersession and our after-school Vassar Fun and Fit
program! Spots are limited, so don't wait!
Congratulations to the Vulcan Pride Band program for being awarded a $26,000 grant from Frankenmuth Credit Union Foundation for Our Communities ! The funds will go towards purchasing all-new uniforms for the marching band. The Vassar Music Boosters have raised funds for this purchase since 2018, and the grant will make a 5-year vision a reality! Thank you so much to the Vassar community for their support of the Vulcan Pride Band program!
Hello Vulcan families! Tomorrow, January 10th, 2024, the Rhino bus will have a double run for both the AM and PM routes. Students who ride the Rhino bus will be picked up and dropped off later than normal. Thank you!
How were the bond proposal projects identified?
As part of the Vassar Strategic Planning Process, school administrators obtained input from community members, parents, and staff to identify potential district-wide facility improvements for a 2024 no-tax-rate increase bond proposal.
Using a computerized platform called, Thought Exchange, participants shared their ideas for facility updates. Projects not included as part of the last bond proposal were also considered.
The Vassar Public Schools’ administrative team, along with engineers, construction managers, and architects, reviewed the suggested projects from the community, and the final project list was completed.
Central Families! Mrs. Zeil is looking forward to seeing you at Game Night this Thursday.
Good Evening Vulcan Families just a reminder that school resumes Monday! Make sure your students get to bed early and are on time. We can't wait to welcome students and staff back!
Can any of the bond proposal funds be used for employee salaries or operating expenses?
No. Bond proposal funds cannot be used for employee salaries. They also cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses. Bond proposal funds must be used only for purposes specified in the ballot language, and as required by state law, they must be independently audited.
Vassar Public Schools would like to congratulate Ms. Dorothy Blackwell on her retirement! While searching for a candidate to continue leading Vassar Public Schools, Erin Raymond, 6-12 Principal, will be placed as Interim Superintendent. Congratulations to Ms. Blackwell- thank you for everything you have done for the Vassar School District.
What can bond proposal revenue be used for?
• Bonds can be used for:
• Constructing additions to existing school buildings
• Remodeling existing school buildings
• Energy conservation improvements
• Site development and improvements
• Athletic and physical education facility development and improvements
• Playground development and improvements
• School bus purchases
• Purchasing loose furnishings and equipment (including administrative technology)
• Direct bond program costs, such as professional fees, election fees, issuance costs, qualification fees, insurance fees, and final audit costs
• Technology purchases are limited to hardware and communication devices that transmit, receive, or compute information for pupil instructional purposes only. The initial purchase of an operating system and customized application software is allowed if purchased with the initial hardware.
Attention 11th and 12th grade students and parents, join us January 17th, 6:30-7:30 at Vassar High School for a presentation from a financial aid specialist about Financial Aid with Q & A to follow! This is a great time to learn about all the opportunities out there and where to get started.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Jenna Fish, Academic Counselor at 989-823-8534 or jfish@vassar.k12.mi.us.
What is a bond?
A bond is a state-approved funding process for an identified list of projects. When voters approve a bond proposal, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the bond sale proceeds to pay for the bond proposal projects. Bonds are typically paid back in 20-30 years.
In many ways, the bonding process is like a homeowner refinancing their home and making payments over a period of years. The Vassar Public Schools no-tax-rate increase bond proposal length is 22 years.
The second proposal on the February 27th ballot seeks voter approval to renew and restore the ten-year, 18-mill non-homestead millage proposal originally approved by voters after the passage of Proposal A in 1994. To restore the full 18 mills, the proposal calls for renewing the current 17.8212 mills and adding an additional .5 mills. The additional .3312 mills will only be levied if the 18 mills are reduced due to the Headlee Amendment and fall below the maximum amount allowable of 18 mills. All school districts in the State of Michigan are required to levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance.
Are you joining us tomorrow for soup with the Sup? This is a great chance to learn more about the No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Proposal and the Non-Homestead Millage Proposal in the February 27, 2024 election. Learn more about the bond, tour the building, and ask questions about the proposals. We hope to see you soon Be sure to join us tomorrow, December 28, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Central Elementary!
The first proposal on the February 27th ballot is a $6.1 million no-tax-rate increase bond proposal designed to address Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) safety requirements, install vape detection sensors, update the learning environment, update instructional technology, replace parking lots and concrete, upgrade playgrounds, replace HVAC equipment and improve ventilation, purchase buses, improve athletic spaces and purchase athletic equipment, make interior/exterior infrastructure improvements, such as roofs, adding electronic signs, and replacing boilers.
When is the election?
The election will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available after January 18, and can be cast through Election Day.
Vassar Public Schools has placed two proposals on the February 27, 2024 ballot. To see a list of frequently asked questions, visit the following link https://5il.co/2ax05
We are a week away from soup with the Sup! Be sure to join us on Thursday, December 28, from 4 pm to 7 pm at Central Elementary for your chance to learn more about the No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Proposal and the Non-Homestead Millage Proposal in the February 27, 2024 election. Learn more about the bond, take a tour of the building, and ask us questions about the proposals. We hope to see you soon!
The students and staff at Vassar Public Schools wish everyone a safe and happy winter break. We look forward to seeing students when school resumes on Monday, January 8!
