Bond Proposal Information
Introduction
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District will be asking our communities to consider a bond proposal during the primary election on August 6, 2024. This will be the second time we have proposed this bond request. Our first request was during the election on February 27, 2024, which was not approved by the voters. This time, we have reduced the amount being requested from $36.8 million down to $29.8 million which is 0.5 mills down from the previous request of 0.65 mills.
The August 2024 bond proposal prioritizes learning environment upgrades and facility improvements for special education students attending Seiter Education Center and career center students attending Montcalm Area Career Center. This request is for improvements and upgrades at Seiter Education Center and Montcalm Area Career and address HVAC, mechanical, and electrical service needs.
Significant building improvements, as well as an addition to the existing building, would be made at our Seiter Education Center, where educational services are provided for students with unique physical and emotional learning needs including moderate or severe impairment, autism spectrum, or emotional impairment.
Building upgrades would also occur at the Montcalm Area Career Center and upgrades to classroom learning spaces to meet the evolving needs of students preparing for diverse career paths and industries. There are 12 different programs offered in areas of career and technical education, including manufacturing and skilled trades as well as health care, public safety, education and business.
Montcalm Area ISD provides and supports special education, career and technical education, and general education services to the districts of Carson City - Crystal, Central Montcalm, Greenville, Lakeview, Montabella, Tri County, and Vestaburg, as well as Flat River Academy and Success Virtual Learning Centers.
We operate programs and services for students at the Montcalm Area Career Center, Seiter Education Center, Montcalm Transitions Center, and Hamler Administration Building. We also own the H.O. Steele Education Center, although we do not operate any student learning programs out of that building.
We proudly serve our communities and more than 12,000 students in Montcalm County.
Our Service Area and School Districts in Montcalm County
Election Details
Date of Election
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
This bond proposal will appear on the ballot in the primary election. This is a county-wide ballot proposal. This will be the second time we have proposed this bond request. Our first request was during the election on February 27, 2024, which was not approved. This time, we have reduced the amount being requested from $36.8 million down to $29.8 million which is 0.50 mills down from the previous request of 0.65 mills.
Voting Precincts
This is a county-wide ballot proposal. The Montcalm Area ISD encompasses all of the school districts in Montcalm County. Therefore, this ballot proposal will be presented to every voting precinct within the school districts served by Montcalm Area ISD, even if they lie outside of Montcalm County. If you reside in one of those districts, this proposal will be on your ballot. If you live outside of Montcalm County, but in one of the seven school districts we serve, you will be eligible to vote on this bond proposal.
Bond Amount
This request is in the amount of $29.8 million.
Millage Increase
This will be an increase of 0.50 mills for a 20 year term.
Eligible Voters
This bond proposal will be presented to all registered voters residing in the service area of Montcalm Area ISD. Our service area includes the school districts of Carson City - Crystal, Central Montcalm, Greenville, Lakeview, Montabella, Tri County, and Vestaburg. All seven of our school districts encompass parts of bordering counties in their school boundaries.
What does this mean?
- Any registered voter who resides in Montcalm County is eligible to vote in this election.
- Additionally, any registered voter who lives in another county but resides in one of the seven school districts in Montcalm County is also eligible to vote.
Our Service Area and School Districts in Montcalm County
Early Voting
Absentee Ballots
Absentee voter ballots must be sent to members of the general public by June 27, 2024.
Early Voting
Early in person voting begins on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Details of the location and time will be announced.
Ballot Language
This is the ballot language for the Montcalm Area ISD bond proposal.
If you would like to see your full election ballot, go to https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot and select Primary Election from the drop down box. Complete the rest of the selections, and your ballot should appear.
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District
Bond Proposal Ballot Language
Shall Montcalm Area Intermediate School District, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed
Twenty-Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars Dollars ($29,800,000)
and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:
Erecting, completing, remodeling, and equipping and re-equippingschool buildings, including structures, play fields, playgrounds, and other facilities, and parts of and additions to those facilities; furnishing and refumishing new and remodeled school buildings; acquiring, preparing, developing, and improving sites, and parts of and additions to sites, for school buildings, including structures, playfields, playgrounds, and other facilities; and acquiring, installing,and equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructionaltechnology?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024 is 0.50 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty (20) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 0.46 mill ($0.46 on each $1,000 oftaxable valuation).
Term and Taxpayer Costs
Bond Request = $29.8 million
20 Year Term at 0.5 mills
$ 60,000 Taxable Value= $30.00 annually
$ 70,000 Taxable Value= $35.00 annually
$ 80,000 Taxable Value= $40.00 annually
$ 90,000 Taxable Value= $45 annually
$100,000 Taxable Value= $50.00 annually
$110,000 Taxable Value= $55.00 annually
$120,000 Taxable Value= $60.00 annually
Formula: $0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District?
(Also known as Montcalm Area ISD or MAISD)
Located in Montcalm County, Montcalm Area ISD is an educational service agency supporting seven local districts, one public school academy, and one virtual school. We proudly serve our school communities and more than 12,000 students in Montcalm County from the following districts:
- Carson City-Crystal Area Schools
- Central Montcalm Public Schools
- Greenville Public Schools
- Lakeview Community Schools
- Montabella Community Schools
- Tri County Area Schools
- Vestaburg Community Schools
- Flat River Academy
- Success Virtual Learning Centers
What is a school bond proposal?
A bond proposal is how an ISD asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, furnishings, equipment, buses and technology. The bond proposal must be approved by eligible electors..
What is Montcalm Area ISD asking for in the 2024 bond proposal?
Montcalm Area ISD is asking voters to authorize $29.8 million to fund improvements to two of the district’s buildings, including:
- A significant addition and renovation to the Seiter Education Center. This building provides services for students with moderate or severe disabilities, autisum spectrum, and emotional impairements.
- Renovations and improvements to the Montcalm Area Career Center – infrastructure improvements that support career and technical education for 12 CTE programs offered for high school students attending Montcalm County schools.
Is the Montcalm Area ISD bond proposal similar to other school district bond proposals?
Yes. All school district bond elections in the State of Michigan must comply with state law which requires that expenditures of bond proceeds be audited and cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries or other operating expenses. Funding from the Montcalm Area ISD bond proposal will support additions and renovations to the Seiter Education Center as well as basic improvements in roofing, heating, and electrical systems at the Montcalm Area Career Center.
Would my taxes increase if the bond proposal is approved?
Yes. This is a new tax request. If approved, the ballot proposal would authorize the district to sell its bonds in an amount not to exceed $29.8 million. Following the sale of the bonds, the district will levy an estimated 0.50 mill to repay the bondholders. Montcalm Area ISD has never had a bond proposal. This will be the first time.
What is a mill?
A mill is equal to $1 per every $1,000 of taxable property valuation (not the market value of a home). This bond is authorizing 0.5 mill which is 50 cents per every $1,000 of taxable property valuation. Homeowners can refer to their latest assessment for their home’s taxable value.
Why is the district asking for a bond proposal?
Due to the size and scale of school buildings, maintenance, updates, and improvements are costly and typically not possible through the traditional funding received by school districts. Our district has several needs requiring large sums of money, such as parking lot improvements, roofing, HVAC, electrical, and mechanical needs.
How are improvements to Michigan schools funded?
The State of Michigan does not provide specific funding to address facilities, which are generally funded exclusively through local property taxes. There are two ways that school districts can raise money for facility improvements: levying sinking funds and selling bonds.
What about per pupil funding?
Funding provided to school districts on a per pupil basis are budgeted for the needs directly related to educating a student. Those funds are not typically used for facility improvements.
Can the money from the Bond be used to pay teacher or other employee salaries and benefits?
No. School districts and ISD’s are not allowed to use bond dollars for operating expenses such as teacher, administrator, or employee salaries or benefits. Bond funds must be kept separate from the district’s operating funds.
How was the amount of the bond proposal determined?
Montcalm Area ISD was involved in a year-long planning process which included studying the needs of our facilities and conducting a thorough facilities needs assessment. After considering all available funding options, it was determined requesting a bond would be the best financial approach. The amount of this request was based on projected needs and estimated costs, with great consideration to not impose a significant tax burden on the communities we serve.
What would happen if the bond proposal is not approved?
If this bond is not approved, the district would have to delay building improvements and repairs. Any emergency repairs would have to be paid for with general operating funds intended to support the district in other ways.
If this bond is approved, the district will be in a better position to make significant improvements without sacrificing operating funds.
How will this affect local businesses?
Just like a homeowner, if the bond passes, a business’ millage rate will reflect the outcome of the bond election in the same way an individual’s property tax rate would change for that property owner.
What is the timeline for projects to be completed?
The amount of work being proposed in the bond proposal is significant. As such, our Construction Management partners believe it to be the best practice to stagger the implementation of the projects. This would allow for greater contractor participation and would not stress the construction market which currently is struggling with labor availability. Greater participation of bidders means greater competition and hopefully better bid results that will benefit the school district.
How would students be impacted while this project is being constructed?
The goal is to minimally impact students during construction. Most construction would be completed during times when school is not in session in order to minimize disruptions to learning.
VOTING INFORMATION
Who can vote in this bond proposal election?
Residents within Montcalm Area ISD who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day and are registered to vote. Please note, you can register to vote on the day of the election by contacting your local clerk’s office.
Registered voters who resident in one of the seven local districts served by Montcalm Area ISD are eligible to vote for this bond proposal, even if they live in another county.
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 contact your local clerk.
Where do I go to vote?
If you are unsure of your voting precinct, visit www.michigan.gov/vote or contact your local clerk.
Do I need to update my voter registration?
You need to update your voter registration if you have changed your name or address since the last time you voted. You can do this at any Secretary of State office or at the clerk’s office where you reside.
Can I vote by absentee ballot?
Yes. Since voter approval of Proposal 3 in November 2018, registered voters do not need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot application from your Clerk’s Office or by going online to www.michigan.gov/vote and clicking on Absentee Voting in the left column.
Absentee ballots should be available to voters after June 27, 2024, and may be cast through Election Day on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
If you have any questions,
you are welcome to contact:
Kyle Hamlin, Superintendent
khamlin@maisd.com
616-225-6148
Penny Dora, Director of Communications
pdora@maisd.com
616-225-6136
