Sturgis school millage to go back on ballot

STURGIS - A recently failed non-homestead millage is set to make its way back to the ballot for Sturgis Public Schools voters to consider.

The board of education on Monday voted unanimously to start the process of placing the millage proposal on the primary election ballot Aug. 6.

Sturgis Public Schools on Tuesday, Feb. 27, asked voters to consider a three-mill increase on a non-homestead, operating millage proposal. The district has used the millage, originally approved in 2014 at 18 mills for 20 years and assessed only on second homes and businesses, for operational expenses. The Headlee Amendment rollback has scaled the millage assessment back to the current rate of 17.6862 mills. The current operating millage is in effect through 2034. The district asked for 3 mills to protect against future rollback during that timeframe.

The millage proposal failed 1,002 no votes to 868 votes in support.

Superintendent Art Ebert said Monday the feedback he has heard largely since Feb. 27 included two reasons for the millage's defeat.

"I was told, 'I voted no because I did not hear much or anything about it,' and 'I voted no, because I voted absentee before hearing about it,'" Ebert said.

Ebert said the district hosted several informational meetings and reached out to area media. Despite those efforts, Ebert said, "we heard more chatter about it after the millage than before."

Before Monday's vote, Ebert asked the board of education for input

Board secretary Gwen Donmyer said she believes people have "heard we spent so much money lately, including COVID dollars, people likely concluded those funds could have been spent on the what the millage requested."

While COVID-19 funding, such as that through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARE) Act, had strict stipulations and a timeframe for dispersing that funding, Donmyer said most people don't realize those limitations.

"We can't help that," she said. "I think it (the millage request) was bad timing."

Trustee Ben Myers said social media is a beneficial avenue and needs to be better utilized.

"I think we're missing the mark in social media reach," Myers said, suggesting the district examine its analytics and look into how to best put out information on district matters.

Ebert said any information shared must only be factual and not intended to sway votes in either direction.

The filing deadline to place the millage proposal on the Aug. 6 ballot is April 30, officials said. Ballot language has to be re-examined, reviewed and approved by attorneys.

Trustee Michelle Baker put the motion on the table to place the millage request back on the ballot, with understanding there will be more education on information pertaining to what the non-homestead millage is.

"t doesn't hurt to try again," Donmyer said.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis school millage to go back on ballot