Cheboygan schools seek voter approval for $22.2 million bond proposal

CHEBOYGAN — The Cheboygan Area Schools is asking voters in the Aug. 6 primary election to extend its borrowing capability to finance upgrades to the district's building and facilities.

Superintendent Spencer Byrd said the bond proposal would raise about $22.2 million over 22 years. Most of the funds will go for renovations to East Elementary School, which is the district's oldest building having opened in 1959.

The rest of the funds will be used for infrastructure and safety improvements to the intermediate/middle school, Cheboygan High School, Inverness Academy, along with athletic facilities and the transportation/maintenance building.

A two-mill bond previously approved by voters is due to expire after this summer, according to Byrd.

"That bond generated about $15 to $16 million. After this summer those monies will be spent," he said. "We are not asking the community for a tax increase, just a tax extension. The rate will remain at two mills. All we will do is extend the borrowing for another 20 years."

If the proposal passes, Byrd said the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay about $200 a year, or $16 a month in property taxes, to pay off the bond.

Byrd said the district conducted a facility assessment to determine which projects are the most important priority for the district.

"For example we have boilers that are nearly 50 years old. The expected useful life for a boiler is about 25 years. In addition to securing our heat for the winter, the new boilers will also be more energy efficient," he said.

Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you

Byrd said East Elementary needs the most attention.

"We are looking to renovate spaces and add classrooms to bring back a pre-kindergarten program. We also want to upgrade and renovate the plumbing in the building," he added.

Byrd said the expiring bond focused on the high school.

"Our intermediate/middle school is the newest in the district and it just needs some maintenance upgrades," noted Byrd.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Cheboygan schools seek voter approval for $22.2 million bond proposal