Ida Public Schools asking voters to pass $43M bond proposal

Drew Saunders, The Monroe News
·2 min read
Ida Public Schools is seeking a millage that would raise $43 million over 30 years for school improvements.
Ida Public Schools is seeking a millage that would raise $43 million over 30 years for school improvements.

IDA -- Ida Public Schools is again asking the public to support a multi-million dollar bond proposal to fund the refurbishment of its buildings.

Voters last November turned down a 4.7-mil tax, but the district's leaders said that since the need hasn’t gone away, they are again asking the residents to support a bond request, this time for 4.94 mils, on Aug. 2.

“When community members provided feedback after the November bond election, many expressed that we did not ask for enough, so the building committee added the next top priorities from the in-depth facility master plan, which increased the amount," said Superintendent Sandy Kreps. "The amount remains close to what the community survey thought they could support.”

Voters rejected the previous bond proposal by 1,100 to 794. The original proposal would have generated about $38 million over 30 years, according to the district, while the new proposal would generate $43 million over three decades. Kreps explained that with inflation, and the fact that the buildings won’t ever stop aging, the need will only increase, the conditions will only worsen and become more expensive over time.

The school district has also introduced a tax calculator to determine how much the proposed millage would effect households. To calculate the tax, the system asks yearly income and the taxable value of a home. It will  determine the impact the millage would have on taxes. It will also compare current taxes to those if the millage is approved.

Kreps said the district wants to be very clear regarding how the money will be used. If voters pass the proposal, the district is planning:

  • A new hallway with seven new classrooms, new bathrooms, a new playground, new lockers, LED lighting, a multipurpose room, a multipurpose gymnasium and an expansion of pre-K space.

  • The middle school would get an upgraded science lab and new lockers.

  • The high school would get a new college readiness center, add 1,900 square feet of space to the gymnasium, expand the girl’s locker room, update classrooms and modernize lighting controls.

  • All three buildings would have new double-front door system for security installed, as well as new LED lighting, new boilers, updated ceilings, millwork and paint to several classrooms, and new walls constructed. The double-entry walls would route outside visitors directly into the main office, meaning any would-be-intruder would have to confront staff before accessing any other part of the buildings.

The details of the proposals can be found on the Ida public schools’ website, and on their Facebook page. Information on how voters can obtain absentee ballots for the August 2 election and other options are also available. 

To calculate the amount it would cost each taxpayer, go to https://pfmtaxcalc.com/IdaPublicSchoolDistrict/default.aspx

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Ida Public Schools asking voters to pass $43M bond proposal