The Career and Technical Education Center in Kingsford, established in 1976, currently serves about 500 high school students from Dickinson and Iron counties. There will be an open house from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday as the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District seeks approval of a new millage Feb. 27.

KINGSFORD — An open house will be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Career and Technical Education Center in Kingsford as the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District seeks approval of a new millage in the Feb. 27 election.

The Tech Center at 300 North Blvd. has an enrollment of 499 students for the 2023-24 school year. This year, 46% of juniors and seniors in Dickinson and Iron counties attend the Tech Center, according to the ISD.

The proposed additional 10-year technical education millage of 0.5206 mills, or 52 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, will address upgrades needed to enhance the learning environment and safety of the center, officials said in a news release.

“The Tech Ed Millage proposal reflects the commitment of the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Board of Education to provide the best possible learning environment for current and future students pursuing technical education,” said ISD Superintendent Jennifer Huotari.

Improvements include:

— Replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system: Upgrading the original HVAC system to provide a more comfortable and conducive learning atmosphere.

— Refurbishment of original bathrooms and plumbing: Renovating the existing bathroom facilities and plumbing to meet modern standards and increased student enrollment.

— Energy efficiency measures: Implementing energy-efficient technologies to reduce environmental impact and operating costs.

— Enhanced building entry for safety: Improving the main entry point to the building to increase safety and security for students and staff.

— Installation of fire suppression system: Adding a fire suppression system to enhance overall safety within the center.

— Better space utilization: Reorganizing and optimizing space to meet the specific program needs of students and faculty.

–Parking and grounds improvements: Upgrading parking facilities and grounds to accommodate the growing needs of the center.

Established in 1976 through a previously approved millage in 1972 of 1.0 mills, or $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, the Tech Center has been a vital institution offering diverse technical programs to local high school students, the ISD stated.

Over the years, it has played a crucial role in hands-on instruction for students, serving as a hub for education in the current programs of auto mechanics, construction trades, educational careers, graphic arts, health occupations, marketing, mechatronics, networking and cybersecurity, and welding.

The center has evolved, adding graphic arts and networking classrooms in 1982 and a construction trades facility in 2020. Since 1976, it has served nearly 24,000 students.

For more information, go to www.diisd.org or call the superintendent’s office at 906-779-2690.

Language of the millage proposal follows:

This proposal will increase the levy by the intermediate school district of millage for the establishment and operation of area vocational-technical education programs previously approved by the electors.

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes in Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District, Michigan, for the establishment and operation of area vocational-technical education programs be increased by .5206 mill ($0.5206 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 10 years, 2024 to 2033, inclusive; the estimate of the revenue the intermediate school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2024 is approximately $840,553 from local property taxes authorized herein?