The Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education has approved placing a $242.9 million bond proposal on the May 2, 2023 ballot. If approved by voters, the bond will finance improvements at all school facilities. The bond will also provide revenue for demolishing three aging circular classroom pods and constructing a new Academic and Arts facility at Heritage High School. The gyms, pool, and cafeteria will remain at Heritage High School.
The comprehensive bond proposal is designed to make necessary upgrades and renovations across the school district, that exceed the scope and funds of our sinking fund. The bond proposal requires a 5.75 mill tax increase which will cost the average Saginaw Township Community School District homeowner in a $100,000 home with a taxable value of $50,000, $287.50 per year, or $23.95 per month. Some homeowners will pay more, but most homeowners will pay less than $23.95 per month.
District Superintendent Bruce Martin said, “the proposed updates to school facilities focus on enhancing student safety and security while upgrading and renovating school facilities, which average 64 years old. The updates will meet the learning needs of today’s students and keep us competitive with school facilities in neighboring school districts.”
“A big piece of this bond proposal relates to Heritage High School,” Martin added. “Three existing instructional pods will be replaced with a new Academic and Arts facility. This new facility will be attached to the fourth pod, which includes a gym, pool, cafeteria, and CTE classrooms. This change will improve the current learning environment while enhancing school security.”
Board of Education President Arik Smith said the bond proposal addresses aging infrastructure across the school district and ensures that the facilities are in good physical condition. “Voter approval of the bond proposal will help protect the community’s investment in our schools,” he said. “Our community must invest now to upgrade school facilities, provide modern security and safety and continue Saginaw Township Schools’ reputation for providing quality education programs.”
Projects in the bond proposal focus on three main areas:
- Upgrading safety and security;
- Improving the learning environment; and,
- Updating interior and exterior facility infrastructure (roofs, boilers, HVAC, site, etc.).
Superintendent Martin said that the school district will share information about the bond proposal through direct mailings, social media, the school district website, community and staff presentations, and the news media to ensure that the community is well-informed and that answers are provided to questions people have.
Information about the bond proposal is available now on the school district’s website and will be updated continually through election day. Martin invites all residents to visit www.stcs.org and click on Bond Election Info or to contact him directly at dbmartin@stcs.org with any questions.
