As we continue sharing information about the Houghton Lake Community Schools Sinking Fund proposal, we want our community to have a clear picture of both what the funding would support and how HLCS currently compares with other school districts.
The proposed 1.00 mill sinking fund would provide pay-as-you-go funding for facility improvements across Collins Elementary, Houghton Lake Jr./Sr. High School, Community Education, and the Bus Garage. The district’s initial five-year plan identifies approximately $6.425 million in projects, including safety doors and secure entrances, boilers, parking lots and sidewalks, roofs, science labs, air conditioning, technology, and other facility improvements.
As we consider this proposal, it is also important to understand where HLCS currently stands. Houghton Lake presently levies 0.35 mills for bonds and sinking funds—the lowest amount among the peer districts included in our comparison. The proposed sinking fund would add 1.00 mill, while the comparison shows an area average of 2.64 mills and a state average of 4.25 mills.
Over the coming weeks, we will continue sharing information about the proposal, the projects it could support, and what it would mean for our schools and community.
Election Day is November 3rd.
