By admin 
POWERS, Mich. (WLUC) – If you live in the North Central School District, you will see a sinking fund on your ballot this election.
The sinking fund would levy three mills for the next four years, raising a total of $1.4 million for the district. The district plans to use that money to replace the roofs on the elementary and high school buildings, update the heating systems within both buildings and replace aging school buses.
North Central Area School District Superintendent Travis Depuydt says the district’s buildings need repairs.
“Our high school is about 80 years old and our elementary school is about 45 years old so a lot of the equipment that we have within those buildings has run its course and quite frankly, it’s due for an upgrade and we’re just at the point where we’re having a lot of things failing at once,” Depuydt said.
The average homeowner in the Powers area, with an estimated home value of $150,000, would see an annual tax increase of $225. Some residents say they still support the sinking fund despite tight budgets.
“I absolutely support this proposal. Even though we are in incredibly trying times economically, I just feel so strongly that whatever we can do as a community and in our own households to support our school system, to support our education, it’s of paramount importance,” Powers resident Connie Wells said.
Under state law, sinking fund money can only be used for capital projects, not employee salaries or operating expenses. Depuydt says this sinking fund would be an investment in the North Central students.
“A yes vote here is an investment in our community, an investment in our school district, and an investment in our kids. My top priority as the Superintendent of this district is to make sure that our students have access to a safe learning environment and in order for us to do that we have a lot of projects that we need to complete,” Depuydt said.
Last year, U.S. News and World Report selected North Central as one of the best high schools.
Early voting in Michigan is already underway.
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