All after-school activities, including sports practices, have been canceled for today, March 22, 2024. All district buildings will be closed this evening for walking.
Have a great weekend, and stay safe, Vulcans!
Today is Election Day!
Vote at your regular polling location from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., or return your absentee ballot to your local clerk before 8 p.m. TODAY!
Tomorrow is Election Day in Vassar Public Schools! Vote at the polls from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. or return your completed absentee ballot before 8 p.m. tomorrow.
School Community,
The administration and teachers union are working hard to finalize the 2024-2025 school calendar. We know that many of our families have inquired about dates for next year so we wanted to take a moment today to share our tentative calendar with you. Again, the attached calendar is tentative and subject to changes in the next few months. A final calendar will be shared once approved by all necessary parties.
It’s time to take your completed absentee ballot back to your local clerk’s office.
You still have time to register and VOTE by absentee ballot. Contact your local clerk for more information.
Vassar Public Schools no-tax-rate increase bond proposal and non-homestead renewal millage - No change in the current tax rate if approved by voters!
Good morning, Vulcan Community!
Due to cell phone outages in the area, Vassar Public Schools is unable to receive or place calls to cell phone users. We are able to call 911 and landline numbers if there is an emergency. Intersession will continue as planned.
While crews work to get this problem corrected, please email the following office staff for assistance today:
Central School: lliparoto@vassar.k12.mi.us
6-12:
jwilcox@vassar.k12.mi.us
Athletic Counceling Office:
jwhitney@vassar.kq2.mi.us
Superintendent's Office:
sesterline@vassar.k12.mi.us
Have a great day!
In-person voting continues through February 25! Contact your local clerk for hours and locations. If you requested an absentee ballot, please complete it and return it to your local clerk’s office. For more information on the ballot proposals, visit www.vassar.k12.mi.us.
Why are renovations to Townsend North included in the bond proposal?
Townsend North is a building owned by Vassar Public Schools. This building is used for storing district records that must be kept according to record retention laws, additional storage needs, athletic practice spaces, and school district meetings, and a portion is leased to the State of Michigan to operate the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and Head Start.
Since Vassar Public Schools does not operate a preschool program, leasing a portion of the building to GSRP and Head Start programs provides valuable preschool services to 32 area children. Revenue generated through the lease for the GSRP program helps offset utilities and other operational expenses. Part of the lease agreement is maintaining the building and playground and providing food
service.
Most Townsend North families who enroll their children in GSRP and Head Start programs tend to register their children in Vassar Public Schools when they begin kindergarten. This keeps residents of Vassar Public Schools attending our school district, benefiting the school district for years to come through the foundation allowance the school district receives for each student enrolled.
Since Towsend North is still a property used by the school district and a portion of the building is rented to State of Michigan agencies, Vassar Public Schools must keep the building in good working order. The bond proposal will address the aging roof, replacing HVAC systems, adding an emergency generator, upgrading the playground (the brick walkway will remain with this update), replacing the service drive, and adding storage units for instructional material.
Where can I get information about voting (such as how to register, where to vote, and absentee voting)?
Go to the Michigan Voter Information website (www.michigan.gov/vote) or call your local clerk’s office.
Who can vote in this election?
Residents of Vassar Public Schools who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day and are registered to vote can vote in this election.
We invite our Vulcan community to join us tomorrow from 5-6:30 in the 6-12 Auditorium for a town hall meeting about the upcoming bond proposals.
What will happen if voters don't approve the non-homestead renewal and restoration millage?
All Michigan school districts must ask voters to approve a non-homestead property tax. If school districts don't follow this procedure established by the Michigan Legislature, they will not receive their full foundation allowance.
How much revenue will the non-homestead replacement millage generate?
The non-homestead millage is projected to generate approximately $1,046,417.36 per year. This revenue makes up 5% of the school district’s operating budget.
How will the non-homestead renewal and restoration millage impact farmland?
The impact on farmland depends on whether the farmland is part of a residence (primary homestead) or on a non-homestead farming property, the percentage of the land that is farmed, etc.
Join us for a Town Hall meeting in the 6-12 auditorium on Tuesday, February 13, from 5-6:30 to learn more about the upcoming bond proposal. This is an excellent opportunity to get your questions answered. If you cannot attend and have questions, don't worry; email us at eraymond@vassar.k12.mi.us or call 989-823-8535 option 1.
What is a non-homestead renewal and restoration millage?
A non-homestead renewal and restoration millage supports the school district’s general operating budget. The operating budget covers everything necessary to provide educational programs and services in Vassar Public Schools. The non-homestead replacement millage is not levied on primary residences (the home in which a homeowner lives); it only applies to businesses, second homes, vacant land, and rental property. All school districts in Michigan must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowance.
In all Michigan school districts, the 18 mill non-homestead levy is subject to rollbacks per the Headlee Amendment to the Michigan Constitution. While school districts cannot levy more than 18 mills on non-homestead property, Vassar Public Schools is requesting approval of an additional .5 mill non-homestead levy to protect against future rollbacks when they occur.
The second proposal on the February 27 ballot is a 10-year, non-homestead renewal and restoration millage proposal. This millage does not impact the taxes on primary residences (the home in which a homeowner lives).
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Upgrading and constructing restrooms
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Updating the parking lot to improve drainage
Upgrading technology
• Installing Wi-Fi for the bus parking lot
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Purchasing two buses
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Adding stair handrails in the auditorium to address safety issues
• Adding storage closets to support the drama program
• Adding a vape detection system in restrooms
Updating mechanical and electrical systems
• Improving ventilation in the locker rooms
• Replacing the boiler to improve heating
• Replacing HVAC systems in the weight room, gym, and cafeteria and adding air conditioning
• Replacing HVAC controls to integrate the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) to create individual cooling and heating zones
• Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Replacing the baseball/softball scoreboards with an energy-efficient LED system
• Updating the softball/baseball bleachers to replace the wood bleachers that are deteriorating
• Replacing lighting at the football stadium to provide better illumination
• Replacing an electronic sign at the front of the building for school announcements
• Replacing football scoreboard with an energy-efficient LED system
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Installing a multi-use display to improve viewing at school events
• Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials
• Replacing broken weight room equipment that is used by gym classes and sports teams
• Replacing wrestling mats with roll-up mats for easier storage
Upgrading technology
• Installing innovative touch screens to support the educational and athletic program
• Updating Wi-Fi/technology at athletic fields
• Installing a portable, remote network cameras to support live streaming at events
