Townsend North Preschool

Updating mechanical and electrical system • Replacing HVAC systems in the 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 • Resurfacing the walking path that students use to walk safely around the building and for • exercise during recess, PE class, and before and after school programs • Adding new bleachers to replace the wood bleachers that are deteriorating • Adding an electronic sign to the front of the building for school announcements • Replacing the service drive to update the crumbling surface Purchasing furniture and equipment • Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials

Improving the facility infrastructure • Replacing the 20-year-old roof Updating mechanical and electrical systems • Replacing HVAC systems in the gym and cafeteria and adding air conditioning • Replacing HVAC controls to regulate heat and air in classrooms • Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages Improving facility sites/exterior improvements • Adding an electronic sign to the front of the building for announcements • Upgrading the playground • Replacing the service drive to update the deteriorating surface Purchasing furniture and equipment • Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials

What will happen if voters do not approve the bond proposal? The bond projects cannot be completed as proposed. If necessary, emergency repairs or updates will come out of the operating budget, taking away funds from the student educational program.

Why is the purchase of buses included in the bond proposal? Purchasing school buses through the bond proposal relieves pressure on the general fund operating budget. It also ensures that the Vassar Public Schools’ bus fleet will be systematically upgraded as buses reach the end of their useful life. Two school buses will be purchased with the bond proposal revenue which will reduce the number of school buses leased by the school district.

How can approval of the bond proposal not raise the current tax rate? Vassar Public Schools will extend its debt for the entirety of the bond, which will not require any tax rate increase to complete the projects.

We know our students and staff love snow days as the season finally has decided to show up we want to remind everyone of the district's snow day procedures. As soon as a snow day is declared, the district will send a robocall, text message, and post closures on our website, App, and Facebook pages. We will also notify the following TV and radio stations: TV5, TV 12, TV 25, Fox 66, 98 FM, 102.5 FM, 93.3 FM, 104.5 FM, and 96.1 FM. The district will not decide on after-school activities until roughly 1 pm on a snow day. We want to ensure that we provide every opportunity for after-school activities to continue as scheduled if it is safe. Pushing this announcement to later in the day allows road crews to address road conditions and the district to re-evaluate road conditions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Hey Vulcans! The Board of Education has approved the two bond proposals for the February 27, 2024 Election, and we want to talk to you about it! Join us at the following events to learn more about the No-Tax-Rate Increase Bond Proposal and the Non-Homestead Millage Proposal. Take a tour of the building, and ask us questions about the proposals: Thursday, December 28, from 4 pm- 7 pm at Central Elementary for Soup with the Sup Wednesday, January 10, from 5:30-8 pm at Townsend North for Cookies with Dot Tuesday, February 13, from 4:30-6 pm in the 6-12 Auditorium for a Townhall Meeting.

Mark your calendars - someone special is coming to town... The Grinch! Join Officer Hammill, Central Shop Rite, and the Thumb Area Mud Runners as they try to grow the Grinch's heart three sizes on December 9 for the Stuff a Cruiser event. This is a great opportunity for local kids to meet the Grinch, decorate a cookie, do a craft, and help families in need.