THANK YOU!

On November 5, 2024, voters in the Gobles Public Schools district voted to pass the renewal of its sinking fund to improve and repair school facilities and grounds.

Thank you for your support!

GENERAL INFORMATION

WHEN IS THE VOTE TAKING PLACE?

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Absentee ballots are available in late September for those wanting to vote using this method.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

ALL REGISTERED VOTERS living within the Gobles Public School District boundaries are able to vote on this ballot millage proposal.

WHAT IS BEING VOTED ON?

RENEWAL OF THE 2016 SINKING FUND for building and site renovations, safety and security.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Voting will take place at YOUR NORMAL POLLING PLACE that you go to for all elections. Contact your county clerk's office or visit www.Michigan.gov/vote for more information.

WHAT IS A SINKING FUND?

A sinking fund is a pay-as-you-go method of funding minor facility improvements and repairs.

WHAT ABOUT THE BOND THAT JUST PASSED?

The 2023 bond our community passed provided funding for major facility improvement projects that keep our educational buildings current and allow for future expansion.

WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT?

The ballot proposal calls for the renewal of the ten-year sinking fund to complete ongoing facility repairs and updates that support the educational program.

Voters originally approved the sinking fund in 2016 sinking fund. The sinking fund generates approximately $474, 957 annually for facility repairs and updates.

CAN SINKING FUNDS BE USED FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING EXPENSES?

No. Sinking funds cannot be used for operating expenses, salaries, employee benefits, or routine building maintenance. By State law, projects paid for through a sinking fund must be audited annually and reviewed by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF VOTERS DO NOT APPROVE THE SINKING FUND PROPOSAL?

The sinking fund is projected to generate approximately $474,957 annually. If residents do not approve the sinking fund, facility repairs and updates will have to be postponed or, if possible, paid for through the school district's operational budget, reducing the revenue used to support the educational program and operate the school district.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT MY TAXES?

Gobles Public Schools currently levies a 2.0 mill sinking fund. By renewing the fund and allowing our school district to continue necessary improvements, the mill would stay the same.

WHAT WILL THE RENEWAL OF THIS SINKING FUND ACCOMPLISH?

This renewal will continue to be used to maintain and repair existing school buildings and necessary improvements. Specifically, this will include expanding the elementary cafeteria into a multi-use space, and adding safety and security features throughout both buildings.

WHAT IS THE EXACT LANGUAGE OF THE BALLOT FOR THE SINKING FUND RENEWAL?

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the building and site sinking fund millage that expires with the 2025 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Gobles Public Schools, Van Buren and Allegan Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 10 years, 2026 to 2035 inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings and for all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $474, 957 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2025 tax levy)?

POTENTIAL PROJECTS

Elementary cafeteria expansion
Elementary classroom environmental upgrades

School children wearing blue and orange cheerleading outfits

PROJECTS ACCOMPLISHED USING THE 2016 SINKING FUND:

General Facility Maintenance + Repair:

Replaced all roofs on the high school building
Partial roof replacement at the elementary
Installed and repaired concrete sidewalks
Repaved high school parking lots (2)
Repairs to Mill Lake access road

Utilities + Plumbing:

Installed sewage ejection pumps at both schools
Replaced water coil above high school gym
Replaced floats and control board to high school gym lift station
Installed drinking fountains with bottle fillers in both buildings

Electrical Work:

Upgraded all outdoor lighting to LED
Installed new security cameras and wiring

Heating + Ventilation (HVAC)

Replaced temperature controls in both buildings
Boiler service and repairs
Replaced heat exchanger on high school boiler
Replaced burner on high school boiler

Construction + Renovation:

Resurfaced track
Replaced and repaired all white stucco on the high school building for water leakage
Reroofed storage building on M-40
Renovated bus garage office and bathroom
Resurfaced high school and elementary gym floors
Installed bleacher risers and handrails to bleachers in the high school gym
Replaced all metal capping on both schools to prevent water leaks
Replaced 18 exterior doors in both buildings
Replaced all windows in the pressbox
Replaced various overhead doors at the bus garage
Replaced faulty irrigation on the game field
Installed concrete pads at batting cages
Repaired and installed new cables to all backboards

EVERY

VOTE

MATTERS!

THANK YOU for passing the 2023 Gobles Public School bond!

Remember to vote on November 5, 2024!

Paid for by: Gobles Public Schools
409 N State, Gobles, MI 49055