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Community Information Meetings
Learn more about TCAPS School Bond Proposal
The community is invited to join any of the following information meetings to learn more about TCAPS Annual School Electon. TCAPS is seeking authorization from its voters on November 6, 2012 to issue bonds for the continuation of TCAPS long-term captial infrastructure improvement plan.
- Monday, October 29th, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Green Lake Township Building Fellowship Hall
Click here for frequently asked questions
TCAPS is seeking authorization from its voters on November 6, 2012 for the continuation of its Long Term Capital Infrastructure Improvement Program. Bond sales would generate $100 million over the next 10 years. The millage rate necessary to repay these bonds will remain below 4 mills (current rate is 3.1 mills).
View the short video below as Chief Financial Officer Paul Soma discusses TCAPS Capital Plan
October 5 - Central High School Improvements and Other Secondary Upgrades
September 28 - Central Grade School Reconstruct
A major component of the TCAPS bond proposal will include completion of reconstructions for the following elementary school facilities: Eastern Elementary School, Interlochen Community School, Glenn Loomis Montessori, and Central Grade School.
View a short video of TCAPS Capital Projects Director Paul Mahon discusses the needs of Central Grade School
September 7 - Superintendent Update
TCAPS School Bond Proposal - November 6th Election
This is the first in a series of weekly capital plan updates I will share in my Late News and at Board of Education meetings between now and November 6th.
These updates are meant to inform you, along with community members, parents, and all voters in our school district, about the bond issue that is very important to our school system and to each and every child in our district.
TCAPS school district will have a bond proposal on the ballot on November 6th. TCAPS is seeking authorization from its voters to issue bonds for the continuation of a long-term capital plan to maintain and improve our infrastructure over time.
TCAPS infrastructure includes ALL of our buildings, grounds, facilities, technology, buses, and major equipment. The total infrastructure is valued at $336 million. Bond funds are used to upgrade and reconstruct facilities that need immediate attention. Funds are also used to replace instructional equipment such as music instruments and to make physical education facility upgrades.
Without the bond, TCAPS general fund will have to pay more than 3 million dollars per year to keep up with such demands. TCAPS operates a “general fund” that pays for the day-to-day operations of our school system, including student programming and employee salaries. A “capital” or “bond” fund supports the upkeep and improvement of infrastructure and cannot be used for day-to-day operations. Capital funding comes from bond sales. Local taxpayers authorize TCAPS to sell the bonds which are paid off through local millage.
TCAPS has maintained its commitment to our community to maintain the lowest possible millage while striving to deliver the highest quality educational programs. TCAPS current millage rate of 3.1 mills is 39% lower than the statewide average of over 5 mills levied by school districts for capital purposes. Every three to five years, TCAPS has asked our community to continue its support for our capital plan. TCAPS ballot proposal continues that plan. The decline in property values has caused TCAPS to delay capital projects as well as bus replacements. In order for projects to go forward, the district will need to levy a higher millage rate, projected to be 3.9 which will still remain 23% lower than the statewide average. This represents an increase to the average TCAPS homeowner of $5.08/month.
In the coming weeks, I will discuss each of the major capital areas included in the TCAPS bond proposal as follows: technology, buses, capital maintenance, four elementary school reconstructions (at Central Grade, Eastern, Interlochen, and Montesorri at Glenn Loomis), and secondary facility upgrades that include high school auditoriums (reconstruction at Central High and upgrades at West Senior High), a robotics center addition at West Senior High, and athletic field improvements at West Senior High.
For more information and updates, tune into the School Board meetings on TV/98 or stream from the TCAPS Website. Also visit our School Election Bond information page located at: www.tcaps.net/bond.
View the short video below as Chief Financial Officer Paul Soma discusses TCAPS Capital Plan
Why Is this Millage Important?
- Continues the District’s well-documented, structured, and consistent approach to address long-term capital infrastructure needs.
- Renovates and upgrades elementary, secondary, and other school district facilities.
- Accelerates the reconstruction of three elementary schools.
- Expands the project list to include the reconstruction of Central Grade School, the reconstruction of Central High School Auditorium, main entrance, and commons area, upgrade of West Senior High School Auditorium, the addition of a robotics center and other improvements at West Senior High School.
- Maintains standards and improves technology access for all students.
- Replaces buses and operational equipment.
- Maintains and improves physical education facilities and school sites.
- Allows General Fund dollars to be directed toward the classroom. Approximately $3 million in capital needs are funded every year through this millage (such as technology and bus replacements), which would otherwise have to be funded through General Fund dollars.
- Note: The money generated must be used for capital needs only. Legally, bond funds cannot be used for salaries or benefits. TCAPS proposed millage rate is significantly lower than the current statewide average of over 5 mills levied by schools across the state for capital purposes.
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