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Bonding, Millage Plans Set For School Election

Bonding, Millage Plans Set For School Election image
Parent Issue
Day
30
Month
April
Year
1970
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A five-part, $36,280,000 bonding issue and an operational millage issue of 3.10 milis were tentatively scheduled for the June 8 election last night by the Ann Arbor Board of Education. Though formal action to set both issues is not expected until piext week, last night's action can be considered final. If any changes are made between now and next week, it will be too late to legally get the issues on the ballot. The vote last night for putting both isues on the ballot was unanimous - 8-0. This is the first unanimous vote for bonding and millage issues in several years. Trustee Paul H. LFohnson, who has consistently voted against such issues, was absent last night. Nearly all the trustees commented that they were happy about the emphasis on "prevention and remedy to forestall failure" in the proposed $25.2 million budget, which would be financed by the increase in millage of 3.10 milis. More than $500, 0U0 for new programs and personnel to help children with learning and social difficulties who later become discipline problems is in the proposed budget. Trustee Ted Heusel said the main reason he was supporting the millage request was because of the emphasis on helping these children. "Discipline problems in the schools have greatly divided our community," Heusel said. "We can do something about solving these problems with this budget." Vice President Charles H. Good agreed that "money spent now to prevent some of these problems is a very good investment . . ." Trustee Richard M. Wood said the budget is "not extravagant" in his opinión, but does provide "some leadership in areas which are extremely important." The proposed budget of $25,195,196 is an increase of $3,770,225 over the 1969-70 budget of $21,424,971. Trustee Henry Johnson said he saw the proposed budget as a "beginning." But he emphasized that it shouldn't be regarded as a "cure-all" for children with learning and social problems. The bonding issue will be on the ballot as five separate portions, which can be accepted or rejected individually. lts parts will be as follows: ELEMENTARY: $9,560,000. This will include renovations and additions to 10 elementary schools, two new elementary schools, and the buildiag of a new Mack School at a cost of $2,270,000. A full-sized gymnasium for the new Mack, requested by the parents but not originally recommended by the administration, has been f i n a n c e d through trade-off s which will not hurt the educational program, school officials said last night. JUNIOR HIGH: $9,190,000. This includes $5,917,000 for a sixth junior high to be located on the Pioneer High School site, renovations at Forsythe Junior High for $44,000 and at Tappan Junior High for $236,000, and extensive renovations at Slauson Junior High for $2,993,000. SENIOR HIGH: $15,800,000. (The school is actually estimated to cost $16,150,000, but some $350,000 has already been allocated from the schools' building fund for planning.) LIBRARY ADDITION: $900,000. This would be a 20,000square-foot addition to the main library at 343 S. Fifth Ave. SERVICE FACILITY: $830,000. This would be a 45,000square-foot building and grounds facility. All registered voters may vote on the millage issue. It is also expected that for the first time this year non-property owners who are registered to vote also may vote on the bonding issue. In past years, only property owners and their spouses could vote on bonding issues, but this has been challenged in the courts. If all five parts of the bonding issue are approved at the polls, it is expected to bring a tax increase of about four I milis, or $4 per $1,000 of state equalized valuation (SEV). The millage issue would mean a tax increase of 3.10 milis or $3.10 per $1,000 of SEV. Together, they would mean a tax hike of $7.10 per $1,000 of SEV. Presently, a total of 35.97 milis for operations and debt service is levied on Ann Arbor School District voters. Next week, the school board is expected to be asked to approve another question on the bonding ballot which would allow a district-wide vote on whether the residents of the former Braun, Frains Lake and Superior Townline districts can be taxed for the bonded indebtedness of the Ann Arbor School District at the time of their annexations in 1966. Business Manager George I Balas said they have not been taxed for debt service for the past four years because of a I technicality at the time of their I annexations. This year, the three districts would have been I taxed a total of $16,730 for debt service. I

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