The district is seeking approval Nov. 7 of a $34.5 million bond for school construction and improvements. The proposed bond would increase the tax rate by 4.6 mills, or $4.60 per $1,000 of taxable value, over a period of 25 years. The estimated average annual millage need to retire the bond is 4.1 mills, or $4.10 per $1,000 of taxable value.

Superintendent David Holmes said he is trying to get information about the bond election out to as many people as he can.

Beside two public information sessions already held, he has spoken to a number of different groups, including Rotary Club and Golden K, at three senior citizen centers and five school booster club meetings.

“We’re really trying to emphasize the big picture pillars of the project,” he said, adding he’s willing to speak to any group of any size. He indicated the forums have not been well attended, but small group sessions have.

WOODLAND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS Brylee Rockefeller, left, and Gabriel Dunn working on reading in Steve Noasconi’s third-grade class. (Justin Cowen photo)

The project includes upgrades to all of the district’s buildings. At Woodland Elementary, built in 1989, some proposed improvements include adding a multi-classroom addition, an additional gymnasium/multipurpose room, new roof, moving the office for increased security and easier access by the public, upgrading the fire alarm system, and upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Adding another gym at the elementary school would give the district the opportunity to provide more instructional components and additional space that can be used by the public, Holmes said.

“Adult recreation programs are jammed into one night a week sometimes because our gyms are being used,” he said. “The more space we have, the more ability we have to host regional events. The U.P. track meet has a huge impact on the area. We host local craft fairs, but that shuts our gym down.”

Justin Cowen, director of Learning Technology, said since July they have hosted three different community events for different organizations in the auditorium.

At Kingsford Middle School, they propose adding a designated band room. Additional renovations and upgrades are planned at both the middle school and high school. The high school was built in 1964 and the middle school in 1991.

A new 20,000-square-foot multipurpose facility would be used as an indoor practice facility for spring sports teams. The facility, about the size of three tennis courts with storage space, would also be available for use by the public.

The building and parking area would be located near the “Safe Routes to School” walking path along Pyle Drive, Cowen added.

Some parts of the original plans were scaled back or not included. They decreased the size of the multipurpose building and decided not to build an independent child care building but instead keep the children at Woodland.

“We felt it would better serve the kids to make more space at the school so they would have easier access to programs,” Holmes said. He noted about 65 to 70 families are waiting to get into Woodland Childcare.

Cowen pointed out there is not a lot of technology in the proposal because with the district’s sinking fund they were able to jump-start their technology program. “We’ve done a good job of building that into our budgets and understanding what those yearly costs are. We’re at the point where we can match that and expand what we have. We’re trying to be good stewards with the money we have,” Cowen said.

“That was one part where we said, ‘We can do that part on our own, that’s not up to the voters,'” Holmes said.

“We did our homework in preparing a proposal that’s very clear, very well thought out and very cost-effective, considering the time span,” he said.

“We are continually planning for the future of our students and district. I want to thank all of the individuals who have been involved with the planning and preparing of materials to distribute and inform the community about this proposal,” Holmes said, noting the district’s school board and community members have always taken great pride in the facilities children attend.

“If approved, this bond would help to set the district on a trajectory of success well into the future,” he added.

Detailed information about the bond proposal is available on the Breitung Township Schools website at www.kingsford.org.

“From the day we were allowed to announce this we’ve been as open and transparent as possible,” Holmes said.