These are
challenging times for many people today -- in
our state, in our community and in our schools. Since the
governor and the legislature have targeted K-12 education and school
districts with declining enrollments, the CASD has had to adapt to
drastically-changing funding (a loss of $1.2 million in revenues) and
a declining number of students.
Nevertheless, we have once again been recognized by the Michigan
Department of Education as a high-performing district, and our board
of education wants our students to continue to reach a high level of
performance by providing them with the best educational opportunities
possible.
The COOR special education ballot question of last year was one of the
few ways that additional operational funds could have been raised. If
the proposal had passed, over $340,000 would have gone to the CASD.
Although the voters of Crawford County passed the proposal, the three
other districts defeated it. This proposal, which requires a total
popular "yes" vote to pass, may be brought back the voters in
November.
Meanwhile, our school board has been discussing our district's needs.
In 2006, the community was supportive in passing the bus bond
proposal, which allowed us to buy 12 new school buses, with the last
purchase in 2010. Since we have the eleventh biggest school district
in Michigan in terms of square mileage, our buses see a lot of use.
In order to keep our schools operating at their best for our students,
parents and community members, the school board has to decide on a
ballot question for 2012. It would provide funding for purchasing six
new buses, repaving the GES parking lot, paving the new elementary bus
loop, converting the APS gym into a central office, converting the GES
and APS cafeteria into a K-5 multi-purpose performance area. If this
ballot issue passes, it would raise the millage 0.25 for four years;
then the rate would drop over 1.0 mills. (?) For a home valued at
$100,000 (with an SEV of $50,000), this would mean an additional
$12.50 per year for four years. Please feel free to contact me with
your feedback on this proposal.
These are
challenging times for many people today--in
our state, in our community and in our schools.
Because the governor and the legislature have targeted K-12
education and school districts with declining enrollments, the
CASD has had to adapt to drastically changing funding (a loss
of $1.2 million in revenues).
Nevertheless, we have once again been recognized by the
Michigan Department of Education as a high-performing
district, and our board of education wants our students to
continue to reach a high level of performance by providing
them with best educational opportunities possible.
All of our schools tested by the MEAP last year received "Best
of Class" grades, again being ranked as Grade A schools. Our
high school barely missed an A last year by one point and has
received a B grade through the MME/ACT testing program. The
State just released the "Top to Bottom List," ranking all
Michigan schools. Our middle school had the highest ranking at
the 87th percentile. Our district's average ranking is higher
than all of the schools around us. Congratulations to the
parents, students and staffs of our great schools. We truly
are "growing to GREATNESS!"
The second attempt at COOR special education ballot question,
held in November, was one of the few ways that additional
operational funds could have been raised. Had that proposal
passed, approximately $340,000 would have gone to our school
district. Thank you to our CASD voters in Crawford County.
You have supported our students and our schools. The
proposal required a total YES vote to pass. Although our
voters supported the measure, it was defeated across the
four-county region.
Meanwhile, the school board has
been discussing the district's needs. In 2006, the community
was supportive in passing the bus bond proposal, which allowed
us to buy 12 new school buses, with the largest purchase in
2010. Because we have the eleventh largest school district in
terms of square mileage, our buses get a lot of use.
In order to keep our schools operating at their best for our
students, parents and community members, the board has to
decide on a ballot question for 2012. It would provide funding
for purchasing six new buses, technology upgrades to keep our
schools the best, repaving the GES parking lot, paving the new
elementary bus loop, converting the APS gym into a central
office and converting the cafeteria into a K-5 multi-purpose
area that could be used for many, many events and activities.
If this ballot issue passes, it will raise the millage by 0.25
mills for only four years; then the millage rate would drop
over 1.0 mills. For a home valued at $100,000 (with an SEV of
$50,000), this would mean an additional $12.50 per year for
four years in property taxes.
Please feel free to contact me
with your feedback on this proposal.
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