District to seek continuation of Site Sinking Fund on May ballot

Board of Education members agreed to seek voter approval for the continuation of the District's site sinking fund that has been in place since 1996 and is set to expire this fall.

On May 6, voters will be asked to approve maintaining the existing 2025 millage rate of 1.3575 mills for the next 10 years. Over the past 30 years, the site sinking fund has been used to maintain and improve district facilities. Due to recent changes in state law, the District would now be able to utilize site sinking fund monies for school security improvements and the acquisition or upgrading of technology in addition to maintaining facilities. Security improvements remain a priority and since DCS went 1:1 in technology during COVID, students continue to receive a district-issued Chromebook, getting new devices in first grade and again in seventh grade.

Director of Business Services Josh Evans explained that since the district would now be able to use site sinking fund money for security and technology, Michigan Election Law requires that the ballot language set forth before taxpayers be considered as a new proposal.

"It’s important to emphasize this is not a tax increase nor will it become one over the next 10 years," said Evans. "But because there are new uses allowed under the law, the moment you change any of the (ballot) language it becomes a brand new proposal and the old law is thrown away. This is a continuation; the rate will never go up."