BARAGA, MI— The Baraga Area Schools District has a sinking fund millage proposal on the May 5 ballot.
The district is requesting 3 mills over 10 years, which would generate about $475,000 per year, if approved.
Superintendent Tim Marczak says the funding would be used to buy buses, remove carpet and finish floors, install new doors, install LED lights in classrooms, purchase and upgrade technology, update fire alarms, repair the track, renovate bathrooms, and possibly construct a one-bay addition to the bus garage.
He says the new sinking fund would cost homeowners pennies more per year.
“We’ve had this sinking fund for—this is the seventh year and it’s expiring—and now the 3 mills as well, for seven years. And so, it did drop a little bit with the Headlee rollback. So, actually, the only increase would be 30 cents per household per year. It’s going from 2.997 mills to 3 mills.”
Marczak says kids want to be proud of where they go to school, and the upgrades will keep them warm, safe, and dry.
