Board seeks $37 million for local schools

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh School Board members unanimously passed a resolution on Monday night that seeks to place two bond proposals, totaling approximately $37 million, on the May 6 ballot. The bond issues would accompany the district’s annual school board election.
Tecumseh Superintendent Mike McAran said copies of the resolution would be delivered to both the City and County Clerk’s offices on Tuesday, since the County Clerk’s Office now is responsible for school elections. The board’s Facilities Committee has been working with the school’s architect and legal counsel since last year to refine projects and split an original plan into two separate proposals.

The resolution noted that, “In the opinion of this Board it is necessary and expedient to remodel school district buildings, excepting the high school; erect an addition at Tecumseh Acres; acquire and install instructional technology improvements district-wide and develop and improve sites.” Those items would be taken care of with the passage of Proposal 1. The resolution noted that it would be necessary for the district to borrow $12,280,000 and issue bonds for that project, with the remaining funds for a total of $12,523,846 to be derived from the investment of the bond proceeds.

Further, the resolution noted the Board is “further of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient to erect additions to the high school; remodel and partially re-equip the high school and middle school; develop and improve sites, athletic fields and facilities and playgrounds.” Work at the high school would include cafetorium remodeling, and the addition of an orchestra room for the strings program, among other changes. The Board estimates that the district would need to borrow $24,450,000 for that work and issue bonds, with the remaining funds for a total of $25,333,288 to be derived from the investment of the bond proceeds.

Board members have expressed their hopes that both proposals would pass and expect to engage in information sessions with the public between now and the May 6 election to help others understand more about the district’s facilities needs. During previous discussions about the need to proceed with the bond,  McAran has pointed out that the Michigan school districts that are struggling are the ones that do not maintain their facilities and that such maintenance is necessary to keep schools competitive, especially in the Schools of Choice climate.

Three Tecumseh School Board seats will also be decided on the May 6 ballot. Current Board members Jody Manes, Matt Oren and Mark Wolfe did not file petitions for their seats, however Karen J. Januszek and Kevin Packard filed petitions by the February 13 deadline.

Prospective write-in candidates have until April 25 to file declarations with the City Clerk that they intend to run for the Tecumseh School Board.