Breitung schools to host forums before sinking fund renewal vote

KINGSFORD -- Breitung Township School District is seeking voter approval Nov. 3 to renew its sinking fund.

Superintendent Aaron Yonke explained it would be a continuation of the district's current sinking fund and not a tax increase. A house with a taxable value of $100,000 would continue to pay $7.42 per month for the fund if renewed, he said.

This year they are asking for .8902 mills, or 89 cents per $1,000 in taxable property value, down from the .9 mills that was approved in 2017 for 10 years.

The sinking fund generates about $500,000 to $600,000 a year that is used for certain improvements in the district.

The district will host two public forums at different locations on the next two Thursdays. The first will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the board room of Kingsford High School. The second is set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Woodland Elementary library. They will answer questions and provide a tour of the facilities.

Sinking fund money is set in a segregated pot and can only be used for projects that meet state guidelines, Yonke explained. It generates funds each year for the number of years it is approved, which is different than a bond, which generates funds right away but must be paid back with interest.

"Bonds are good if you want a big capital project or if you're going to build a new building, and we're not building new building. But a sinking fund is … pay as you go. You get it annually, and there's no interest. A sinking fund is a really fiscally responsible way to generate funds," he said.

Some of the past projects completed using the fund included auditorium upgrades such stage repairs, lighting and sound enhancements; modernizing the bathrooms on the first floor of the high school, which Yonke noted were from when the school was built in 1964; and enhanced accessibility to the district buildings.

They have increased and upgraded technology, including 3D printing and CAD/STEM labs; improved the band and music area by adding storage, flooring and a staff area; improved WI-FI access and infrastructure; purchased Chromebooks and increased personalized learning through other enhanced technology. New standardized clocks were purchased for the entire district. The tennis courts were improved and new risers were purchased that can be used for both the band and choir, plus the community.

Safety has been increased in several ways, including adding card readers and security cameras to the district. They created a centralized entry at the high school and moved the Woodland office to the end of the hallway. By moving the office at Woodland, not only was the entry made more secure, but they were able to add a centralized student resource area where the office had been.

Some of the items they hope to address if the sinking fund is approved include saving for roof replacements and improvements at all facilities. The elevator at the high school/middle school needs replacing. Lighting and signage will be upgraded at all the facilities, as well as parking areas. They hope to purchase playground equipment for several grade levels. They also set aside a portion each year for technology.

Additional information about the sinking fund is available on the district website at https://www.kingsford.org.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.