Alanson asks for sinking fund renewal, new bond proposal in May election

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·2 min read

ALANSON — Alanson Public School has two requests for voters to consider in the May 7 election, including a sinking fund millage renewal and a bond proposal.

First, voters will be asked about a $2.2 million bond proposal which would help improve the school through projects like new carpeting, purchasing school buses, and purchasing and equipping instructional technology.

More: Char-Em ISD special education millage request on May 7 ballot

Canopies above exterior doors in the elementary/middle school wing at Alanson Public School are rusting and coming apart, and are not functioning properly, causing mold issues. The canopies would be removed with proceeds from the bond proposal, according to Superintendent Rachelle Cook.
Canopies above exterior doors in the elementary/middle school wing at Alanson Public School are rusting and coming apart, and are not functioning properly, causing mold issues. The canopies would be removed with proceeds from the bond proposal, according to Superintendent Rachelle Cook.
Installing heating in the bus garage is one of the items on the list for the Alanson Public School bond proposal, if approved. Superintendent Rachelle Cook said heating the garage will help improve the longevity of the district’s buses.
Installing heating in the bus garage is one of the items on the list for the Alanson Public School bond proposal, if approved. Superintendent Rachelle Cook said heating the garage will help improve the longevity of the district’s buses.

The first-year millage for the bond would be .82 mills. A home with a market value of $100,000 would cost the taxpayer about $71 per year.

If approved, the $2.2 million would be paid back over the course of 10 years.

Bond proposals can only be used to work on projects within the description of the proposal, which states the purpose of the bonds is for, “remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping the school building and the bus garage; purchasing school buses; acquiring and installing instructional technology in the school building; and preparing, developing and improving the school site,” according to a press release from Alanson Public School.

The exterior doors at Alanson Public School would be replaced with funds from the bond proposal, if approved. The doors have been worn from the elements, are rusting in some spots, and other factors have impacted their ability to shut tightly, said Superintendent Rachelle Cook.
The exterior doors at Alanson Public School would be replaced with funds from the bond proposal, if approved. The doors have been worn from the elements, are rusting in some spots, and other factors have impacted their ability to shut tightly, said Superintendent Rachelle Cook.
Both locker rooms at Alanson Public School will be completely renovated, including the lockers, showers and bathrooms if the bond proposal is approved. Decades of wear and tear and moisture exposure have deteriorated the locker rooms and they are not completely functional, said Superintendent Rachelle Cook.
Both locker rooms at Alanson Public School will be completely renovated, including the lockers, showers and bathrooms if the bond proposal is approved. Decades of wear and tear and moisture exposure have deteriorated the locker rooms and they are not completely functional, said Superintendent Rachelle Cook.

The district will also be asking for a sinking fund millage renewal on the May 7 ballot.

Expiring with the 2024 tax levy, the district is requesting a five-year millage renewal for the district's building and site sinking fund. Money in the sinking fund is put towards real estate purchases, construction and repairs on school buildings, security improvements, and the acquisition and upgrading of technology.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

If approved, the district is expected to collect around $154,520 in 2025.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 7.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Alanson asks for sinking fund renewal, new bond proposal on May ballot