We would like to thank everyone that came out to vote on February 28 in support of our kids. The complete election results can be found at the Macomb County Clerk’s website:
http://macombcountymi.gov/clerksoffice/electiondept.htm
Unofficial results are below:
The upcoming school improvement bond proposition vote date is Tuesday, February 28th. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please remember to vote!
Find your polling location, view the ballot, and other important details on the Voter Information Page.
As always, the Center Line Public Schools is doing its best to help every student succeed. But leaky roofs are a fact of life in our schools these days. So are delays in getting some classroom lessons started because of faulty and aging technology, overused connections, aged software, etc. Some classrooms are too small for maximum student groupings. If school security and athletic facilities were also improved, more community uses of buildings would be possible. There are also many other facility and equipment challenges we face on a daily basis that are preventing us from using the best instructional approaches to educating students for a vastly more technology and knowledge-based world.
There was a time when normal wear and tear school upgrades and renovations on our 50-60-years-old schools could be financed through the district’s operating budget. Nearly $8 million was spent on internal improvements from 2000-05. But no more. Because of cutbacks in state aid, federal grants and property taxes, only $1.6 million has gone into facilities programs since then.
Updating our total education environment and technology, and extracurricular programs for students are the major goals of two bond issue proposals on the ballot Feb. 28, 2012. More than specific upgrades are planned. With the first bond issue leaky roofs and much other needed maintenance will be performed, and instruction and learning in every classroom will be enhanced through the installation of improved technology tools and infrastructure. One new elementary school will be built, another renovated extensively, and our middle school and high school will get much-overdue overhauls. Significant secondary school athletic program improvements will also occur if the second proposal is approved.
These projects are also a part of an all-out “school-home-community” effort to use all possible resources to help each student prepare for the challenges of today’s world. Passage of the proposals can also protect our district from becoming a consolidation target. The publicly-elected Board of Education voted 7-0 Dec. 12, 2011, to approve the final ballot language.
A similar proposal failed narrowly last August. We have since listened and learned. Now there are two bond issues totaling less that our original request, and the combined tax rate increases are lower. We are reducing some projects, paying for others with operating funds, and will use current furniture and materials whenever possible. We’re also hoping some bids will be low enough to re-institute plans that have been sidelined.
Center Line residents have a tradition of giving extra help to local students, and its students have a tradition of doing well in return. The Feb. 28 proposal can keep both traditions alive. You can use this website’s topic sections to get answers about this vital election. Feel free to call me directly at our Election Hotline, 510-2004, with questions or suggestions.
Thank You For Your Consideration,
Eve Kaltz, Superintendent,
Center Line Public Schools.
