Bond Information 2019

Last Updated: 1/21/2020 1:24 PM

On November 5, 2019, residents of the Plainwell Community School District will be asked to vote on a bond to update our district facilities.  We have created this page to answer questions and help you make an informed decision.  If you have any questions please call Superintendent, Matt Montange at 269.685.5823 or email matthew.montange@plainwellschools.org  

Bond Fact Sheet

Board of Education Bond Proposal Presentation 5/20/2019

Bond Building Info

       Cooper Elementary

       Community Center

        Gilkey Elementary

        High School

        Middle School

        Starr Elementary

 

Strategic Plan Summary 2019-2024

FAQ

Click Here to get a PDF of ALL FAQs

PROPOSED BOND PROJECT SCOPE INFORMATION  

What is a bond proposal and how can funds from a bond be spent?

What safety improvements are included in this bond proposal?

Would the approval of the bond proposal have any impact on our current operational budget?

Where would the students go to school during the proposed construction phases?

Why are the school buildings proposed to be remodeled and upgraded?

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

How would the bond proposal impact my homeowner property taxes?

When would the new bond proposal be paid off?

$48,655,000 is a lot of money. Why does it cost so much to renovate the buildings?

Would money from the bond proposal be used to pay teachers' salaries and benefits?

How would I know the bond funds would be spent the way they are supposed to be spent?

In the ballot language, the first paragraph states a not to exceed figure of $48,655,000 of general obligation unlimited tax bonds, what does this mean?

Is there an increase in the bond millage rate in this bond proposal?

In the ballot language it states that the maximum number of years any series of bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than 30 years, what does this mean?

In the ballot language it states that estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each bond series is 5.46 mills annually, what does this mean?

In the ballot language it states that the school district does expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. It also says the estimated total principal amount of the borrowing is $0 and estimated interest is $1,464,723. What does this mean?

In the ballot it states that the estimated duration of the borrowing is 16 years and that the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 10.55 mills. What does this mean?

In the ballot language it states that the amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $36,495,000 and that the total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $6,235,083. What does this mean?

When will the millage for this proposal first be levied?

Is the school district going to immediately issue $48,655,000 of bonds?

Are technology purchases going to amortized over a 30 year period? Is there a technology replacement plan?

Is the bond millage rate expected to be the same for the next 30 years?

What are the present 5 year and 20 year historical taxable value growth averages for the school district? What taxable value growth assumptions are being utilized to estimate the proposed bond millage rate?

Are there property tax exemptions to anyone of any kind?

Are businesses and second homes (non-homestead) and primary homes (homestead) treated the same regarding bond millage?

VOTING INFORMATION

Where can I find more information about this bond proposal?

Where and when will the vote occur?

How is an absentee ballot obtained?

If I rent a house, can I vote?  How would my taxes increase if I rent a house?

What are the key dates leading up to the Tuesday, November 5, 2019 vote?

INPUT AND FEEDBACK INFORMATION

Will I be able to provide input regarding the design of the buildings?

What oversights would hold the district accountable?

How would I know the bond funds would be spent the way they are supposed to be spent?

At what point would the State of Michigan, as well as the local fire and police departments, provide input into the bond projects?

Why isn't the high school getting air conditioning like the other buildings?

If the bond passes and the district adds air conditioning to all classrooms, does this mean we are going to implement a "year-round" school calendar?

BALLOT LANGUAGE

What is the ballot language?