November 2024 Bond FAQ

White Pigeon Community Schools

November 5, 2024 Bond - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

OVERVIEW AND FUNDING

When is the bond proposal on the ballot?
November 5, 2024

Why was this date selected?
Selecting a date that is already in use, such as for a primary or national election, saves the district money in expenses.

If I own multiple properties, how does the millage impact me?  Does it only apply to my primary residence or business?
The millage will impact all real properties that you own that are located within the White Pigeon Community Schools District boundary.

What is my current debt millage rate?
0.00

What is the proposed rate if approved?
0.85

What is a mill?
One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of tax assessed value of a property. Tax assessed value is approximately half of the market value of a property. For example:

• A home with a market value of $200,000 would have a tax assess value of about $100,000
• For a rate of 0.85, $100,000 x .00085 = $85 per year, or $7.08 per month
• Homeowners can refer to their latest tax statement for their home’s tax assessed value 

 

How does my debt millage rate compare to other area districts?

 

District	Current Debt Millage
Mendon	8.00
Sturgis	7.00
Centreville	7.00
Three Rivers	4.90
Constantine	4.70
Colon	4.15
Edwardsburg	2.85
White Pigeon	0.00

 

How would the bond proposal affect my taxes?
If approved, the ballot proposal would allow the district to sell bonds in the amount of $2.06 million with a 0.85-mill net increase over the current tax rate.  This would return the levy to the 0.85 mill levy that was in place in 2023. 

What are the main goals of the proposed bond?

Safety and Security - Security camera upgrades and the purchase and installation of additional security cameras is proposed to allow for better monitoring of our facilities.

Education Environment Improvements - Our facilities need to be flexible and relevant in ways that support best practices in teaching and learning. 

Classroom Environment Improvements - New flooring, ceilings and lighting. Bond funds could be used for classroom furniture and technology replacement that would update student devices and classroom audio-visual equipment. Classroom restrooms at Central could receive new interiors and plumbing fixtures.

Infrastructure - Energy savings improvements will save money for the district in the future. Classroom lighting at both Central and the MS/HS would be replaced with more efficient LED fixtures.

Accessibility - The district is committed to providing equal access for everyone to all of our facilities and is seeking to remove barriers of access that currently exist. For instance, a new asphalt parking area is proposed near the stadium so that it is located conveniently for those with physical limitations.

VOTING INFORMATION

Who can vote?
Residents within the White Pigeon Community Schools district who will be 18 years of age or older on election day and are registered to vote.

Where can I get information about voting, such as how to register, where to vote, and absentee voting?
Go to the Michigan Voter Information website at www.michigan.gov/vote or call the Clerk’s Office 

Do I need to update my voter registration?
You need to update your voter registration if you have changed your name or address since the last time you voted. You can do this at any Secretary of State Office or at the Clerk’s Office where you reside.

Can I vote by absentee ballot?
Yes. Since voter approval of Proposal 3 in November 2018, registered voters do not need to provide a reason to vote by absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot application from your Clerk’s Office or by going online to www.michigan.gov/vote and clicking on Absentee Voting in the left column. Absentee ballots should be available to voters no later than September 26, 2024, and may be cast through Election Day. 

What does the ballot language look like?
Below is what voters can expect to see on the ballot related to this bond proposal.  The ballot language is written by the school’s bond counsel and is written to comply with legal requirements of state statutes.

WHITE PIGEON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

BOND PROPOSAL 

Shall White Pigeon Community Schools, St. Joseph and Cass Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Two Million Sixty Thousand Dollars ($2,060,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, therefor, for the purpose of:

 partially remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings; acquiring and installing instruction technology and instructional technology equipment for school buildings; purchasing school buses; and preparing, developing, equipping and improving the stadium site?

 

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025 is 0.85 mill ($0.85 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), for a 0 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.  The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is five (5) years.  The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 0.85 mill  ($0.85 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 $0.  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.)