FAQs

We need to maintain the community’s investment in the infrastructure of the District. We are approaching nearly 10 years since our last bond. We engaged a facilities study to identify the mechanical systems and facility needs for the next 10 years. We’ve identified over $59 million in needs across the district to upgrade security and technology, maintain our facilities, and provide needed academic and athletic improvements. We are approaching this bond as part of a long-term master plan and have focused our critical needs as part of this first bond proposal

The scope of the proposal was based on what we have identified as critical needs, not wants. These needs have been shared and affirmed through a variety of initiatives over the past year including a comprehensive facilities study, countless meetings with our teachers and support staff members, numerous public forums and extensive reviews and discussions at regularly scheduled open board meetings.

Every decision we make regarding this proposal will be premised on:

● Our planning being in alignment with our district’s clearly defined goals and comprehensive Strategic Plan

● Making recommendations based on the very best interests of our students and the communities we serve

● Maintaining the current school tax rate (No tax rate increase)

We currently levy 7.55 mills annually on all school properties. The bond proposal will not increase the 7.55 mil annual debt levy that the district currently collects for previous building projects, but it will extend the number of years that the levy will be collected. Projections indicate that the current debt levy will start to decline in 2027. If voters approve the proposed bond, the debt levy is not projected to decline until 2032.

The current school debt tax rate of 7.55 mills was established when the school first entered into the State of Michigan School Bond Loan Fund. The school district must continue to levy 7.55 mills until all the outstanding loans from the School Bond Loan Fund are repaid. Any accelerated growth in taxable values will shorten the number of years we will be required to levy 7.55 mills.

Bond components include security and technology upgrades; building and site infrastructure upgrades, including classroom upgrades and upgrades to playgrounds and athletic facilities and fields; and flexible and collaborative hands-on learning space updates.

We know parents choose to live in Pinckney because of the schools. Public schools in Michigan receive their funding from the State on a per-pupil basis. Simply put, the more students that attend schools in our district, the more programs and classes we can offer. Since parents have choices regarding where their children go to school, we need to make Pinckney Community Schools as attractive as possible to prospective homebuyers. We also must maintain the exceptional quality of teachers and staff and instruction opportunities on which our District’s positive reputation is based.

No. By law, school districts are not allowed to use funds from a bond issue for operating expenses such as teacher, administrator or employee salaries or other operational costs. Bond funds must also be kept separate from operating funds.

The current plan is to include infrastructure for enhanced student learning:

● The first wave of Interactive smart classroom technology devices will roll out to each school

● Collaborative hands-on learning enhancements such as flexible seating and maker-space upgrades will be included at each school.

● Security improvements to building and classroom access control

● New secure entrance at Pinckney Middle School

● Cafeteria, Media Center and Hands-on learning renovations at Pinckney High School

● Furniture replacements and space enhancements for collaborative and flexible learning spaces

There are numerous benefits for residents without school-aged children. District facilities and sites are regularly used by community members who do not have children attending District schools. Pinckney Community Schools takes pride in its role as an important community resource and partner. The value and vitality of our community significantly depends on the quality and marketability of our schools. Great schools help to maintain local property values. It is in our community’s best interests to protect its investments and to attract families and businesses to our area.

To register to vote, a person must be:

● a U.S. citizen

● at least 18 years of age by election day

● a resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying to vote

You may obtain the application at one of the following:

● Your local Secretary of State branch office

● Your local county, city, or township clerk's office

● Offices of several state agencies, like the Department of Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth

● Military recruitment centers

● Voter registration drives

● Online at www.Michigan.gov/sos

To vote in the August 4, 2020 School Election, a person must be a resident of the Pinckney Community Schools District and registered to vote by:

· 5 p.m. on Monday July 20, 2020 if registering online

· August 4, 2020 if registering in person at your city/township clerk’s office

Shall Pinckney Community Schools, Livingston and Washtenaw Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Fifty-Nine Million Dollars ($59,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:

remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and facilities; acquiring and installing instructional technology in school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping a vestibule addition to Pathfinder School; erecting and equipping new restroom buildings at Pinckney High School athletic fields; erecting, preparing, developing, improving, and equipping athletic fields, facilities, sites, and structures; and preparing, developing, improving, and equipping playgrounds and sites?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2020, under current law, is 2.17 mills ($2.17 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a -0- mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is fifteen (15) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.48 mills ($3.48 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $19,680,763 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $30,275,909. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 19 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7.55 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $79,520,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is approximately $6,557,901.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

Please contact Superintendent Mr. Richard Todd at rtodd@pinckneypirates.org or call him at 810-225-3900.