2021 Bond Proposal

 What is the Clinton Promise?

• The Clinton Promise:
  
  Clinton Community Schools has a long history of being excellent stewards of the taxpayers dollars and has routinely refinanced bonds at lower interest rates and passed the savings on to our community. Additionally, the District has a long history of only building what is needed and “living within our means.”  Clinton Community Schools promises to continue this tradition. This bond election reflects this wisdom in providing for infrastructure updates, renovations and needed additions which will maintain our quality learning environments and address capacity issues.

1. What is the AVERAGE increase?

2. What happens if the bond does not pass?

• Likely, the District will continue to expend funds to maintain aging and outdated infrastructure and prioritize some spending away from the classroom to manage these issues. Additionally, the District will face capacity issues at our preschool and elementary schools.

 3. Will the passage Increase the current bond rate?

• Yes. The average annual increase will be 1.76 mills for a house with a taxable value of $50,000 and a market value of $100,000.

4. I noticed that the middle school and high school will be combined into a 6-12 program at the existing high school site. Will these programs be separated?

• Yes. The plan is to provide for separation of both building programs and the initial designs have taken this into consideration. The recommendations from our community during the Citizens Committee process were strongly in favor of separation of programs. There is no plan to have the middle and high school students together and we understand community concerns regarding this.

5. Is the District concerned with the current pandemic and the possible impact on the election?

• Yes. We are very aware of the current pandemic and have been ‘living it” the past year in our attempts to keep our schools open for face to face and also providing families with remote options. The safety and education of our students is our #1 priority.  The District decided to move forward due to the current needs and that our current millage is ending in the next two years (2023) and borrowing rates are at historic lows.

6. If the bond passes, when will the work begin?

• The 2021-2022 school year would be dedicated to designing the improvements and preparing for construction to start in the spring and summer of 2022. The goal would be to have all projects completed and ready for Fall 2024.

 7. When will the work be completed?

• Fall 2024 is the targeted completion date.

 8. Is the bond proposal aligned with the District mission and goals?

• Yes. In addition, the Board has provided for facilities improvements in their strategic plan based on the age of our facilities and the current enrollment projections.

 9. Who was on the Citizens Committee? 

• The group started out with about 45 community members including parents, business owners, teachers, administrators and Board of Education members. The Committee met four times in the fall of 2020 with the goal of prioritizing recommendations from the facilities study and the steering committee.

 10. What is the plan to keep facility improvement disruptions to a minimum?

• All five major components of the bond projects can be carried out with minimal impact due to the fact they are additions to existing buildings. Additions to the Preschool, Elementary, and High School can take place during the school year with minimal interruption.

 11. Will there be additional meetings to share the projects with the community?

• Yes, a virtual Town Hall will be planned prior to the election to share information with the community and take questions.

12. How will the bond language appear on the ballot?

• Ballot Language:

  Shall Clinton Community Schools, Lenawee and Washtenaw Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Thirty-Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($34,800,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, equipping and re-equipping and furnishing and refurnishing school buildings; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; purchasing school buses; and preparing, developing and improving sites? 

  The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2021 is 0 mill ($0.00 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-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 5.66 mills ($5.66 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $965,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $-0-. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

 13. When is the Bond Election?

• The proposed Bond Election is May 4, 2021.

 14. How much money is the District asking for and for what purposes?

• The District is seeking $34.8 Million. By asking for the bond, the District is seeking to accomplish five major projects:

1. Add space to the Preschool
2. Add space to Elementary
3. Renovate the existing high school and move our middle school programs to the current high school building.
4. Build a new high school addition on the North side of the current high school building.
5. Repurpose the current Clinton Middle School for use for the Board of Education, Central Office and community use/recreation facility.

 15. Where is the best place to find information out about the bond issue?

• For updates on the bond campaign visit our website at miclintonschools.org

 16. Can the bond be used for salaries and raises?

• No. Bond funds can only be used for the purposes in the ballot language. It is against the law to use bond funds for general fund expenditures such as salaries.

 17. Are there plans available for us to see regarding the additions and renovations?

• Yes, there will be some conceptual drawings that will be shared with the community.  However, the final blueprints and architectural renderings will be developed in the design process should the bond pass.
  Bond Election Flyer

 18. How can I help?

• If you get questions please direct others to our website or the Superintendent for information.

19. I just bought a home in Clinton and three children who attend the preschool, elementary, and middle school. How will my family directly benefit from this bond proposal should it pass?

• The bond proposal will add space to the preschool and elementary schools which are currently at capacity. The middle school program will move to the current high school, providing students and faculty with more space and renovated facilities. Additionally, a new high school wing and athletic facilities will provide more space and a new facility for our students. Lastly, the current Board of Education offices will be located in the existing middle school and this building will be utilized for community use and recreational opportunities such as youth sports, senior citizens opportunities, and a community weight room.

20. Who may I contact if I have questions?

• Please contact Superintendent James Cracraft by calling 248-766-2044 or 517-456-6501. Email: jim.cracraft@clinton.k12.mi.us.