2024.36.02

Opinion piece by an unidentified Holland Sentinel staff writer, published July 26, 2009 that likely reflects the opinions of people who wore these buttons: "OUR VIEW - 'Yes' is the only option on Saugatuck schools millage On May 5, 388 voters in the Saugatuck school district “sent a message” by rejecting the previously routine operational millage that supplies two-thirds of the school system’s annual budget. The “message” hit with the force and subtlety of a two-by-four to the side of the head, expressing a deep-seated resentment among a segment of voters with local taxes, school construction projects and the perceived arrogance of district administrators. Three months later, the millage is back on the ballot, and while some of the resentments unleashed in May linger, the Saugatuck school district cannot afford any more “messages.” A “yes” vote on the operational millage Aug. 4 is critical to the very survival of Saugatuck Public Schools and, by extension, to the nature of Saugatuck and Douglas as progressive, diverse communities that value education and welcome and support families. The first “no” vote may have made a statement, but another one would be a death sentence to one of the finest public school systems in West Michigan. The levy before voters would assess 18 mills on so-called “non-homestead” properties (businesses and second homes), the same rate charged in every public school district in Michigan since the state’s current school funding system was adopted in 1994. Primary residences with homestead exemptions would pay 1.317 mills for operations, the so-called “hold harmless” millage assessed since 1994 to maintain the district’s above average per-pupil funding. The millage would generate roughly $5.3 million, or 65 percent of Saugatuck Public Schools’ budget. No one is completely sure what would happen if the operations millage were rejected again, because no Michigan school district has ever turned it down. Without the tax revenue, Saugatuck Public Schools would go bankrupt in a few months. The state would step in to take control, and Saugatuck Public Schools students would likely be parceled out to neighboring districts as its buildings sit vacant. School district residents would effectively cede control of the education of local children to voters and administrators in Hamilton, Holland and Fennville. The levy before voters would assess 18 mills on so-called “non-homestead” properties (businesses and second homes), the same rate charged in every public school district in Michigan since the state’s current school funding system was adopted in 1994. Primary residences with homestead exemptions would pay 1.317 mills for operations, the so-called “hold harmless” millage assessed since 1994 to maintain the district’s above average per-pupil funding. The millage would generate roughly $5.3 million, or 65 percent of Saugatuck Public Schools’ budget. No one is completely sure what would happen if the operations millage were rejected again, because no Michigan school district has ever turned it down. Without the tax revenue, Saugatuck Public Schools would go bankrupt in a few months. The state would step in to take control, and Saugatuck Public Schools students would likely be parceled out to neighboring districts as its buildings sit vacant. School district residents would effectively cede control of the education of local children to voters and administrators in Hamilton, Holland and Fennville. It would be particularly tragic if disaster struck Saugatuck Public Schools, a high-achieving school district with above-average test scores, a 96 percent graduation rate and first-class facilities. A strong local school district is important not only to the education of the community’s young people, but to its appeal to the families who maintain its property values and patronize its businesses year-round. A “yes” vote is important to every segment of the community. We are encouraged that the new superintendent, Rolfe Timmerman, is working hard to rebuild trust, listen to critics and improve communication within the district. Timmerman may be new to Saugatuck Public Schools, but he definitely “gets it” — he understands the unique dynamics of the Saugatuck-Douglas community and should be commended for his positive efforts at outreach and reconciliation. We don’t believe the May vote represented a disregard for public education. Many of the “no” votes may have resulted from a misunderstanding of Michigan’s complex school-funding system. At the same time, we believe, a “silent majority” of school district supporters failed to turn out for an annual ballot question that had always been approved by large margins before. This vote is not about tax loads or building projects. It is about the education of 850 local children. We are confident voters will support their local school district and make their own statement with a “yes” vote. In the Saugatuck school district, “yes” is the only responsible choice on Aug. 4." Source: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/opinion/2009/07/26/our-view-yes-is-only/45241531007/

Education and schools

Winthers, Sally

[email protected]

08/17/2024

[email protected]

08/17/2024