FAQ | Glen Lake 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Looking to the future of Glen Lake Community Schools, the Board of Education is asking the community to vote on a school bond proposal on the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election ballot. If approved by voters, it would provide $8,175,000 for district-wide improvements.

If you have a question not addressed here, please contact the superintendent’s office at 231-334-3061 to have your question answered.

OVERVIEW + FUNDING:

What is the 2024 bond proposal?
The proposal provides voters the opportunity to grant or deny the school district permission to sell bonds that will be repaid through a debt millage (tax levy). The GLCS bond funds would be used to finance building improvements. Bond proposals may be placed on the ballot by school boards to be decided by the voting public.

This bond proposal would take care of highest priority mechanical system updates such as replacing unit ventilators and adding new duct work distribution to support climate-controlled classrooms to improve indoor air quality.

To maximize efficiency in the most cost-effective time frame, this HVAC work would also include connection to the new hot water boiler system and would add air conditioning to classrooms. Classroom casework and flooring would be replaced as needed, partially caused by the reconfiguration of the classroom mechanical units. This would also provide additional appropriate storage for a cohesive classroom learning environment.

Would my taxes increase if the bond proposal is approved?
If approved, the ballot proposal would allow the district to sell bonds and generate approximately $8.175 million with a projected .48 mill increase in the first year (2025). A tax calculator can be found at www.glcsbond.com.

What is a mill?
A mill is equal to $1 per every $1,000 of taxable property valuation (not more than 50% of the market value of property; homeowners can refer to their latest property tax bill for their home’s taxable value).

What is the difference between a bond proposal and a sinking fund?
Bond proposals are used to finance major capital projects. The district can borrow money upfront and repay the bond over time.

Sinking funds provide funds on an annual basis to address the needs of school buildings, facilities, surrounding school sites, and certain limited equipment and vehicles. These funds can be used for smaller projects as the funding is generated, or these funds can accumulate over multiple years and be used to address major capital projects.

What is a bond proposal and how can bond funds be spent?

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community whether it may have authorization to borrow money to fund capital expenditures. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment, and other capital needs. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.

What is the length of the bond term?

If approved, the Glen Lake Community Schools bonds would have a 20 year term, though Michigan law allows bonds to be issued for up to 30 years.

Would the approval of the bond proposal have any impact on our current operational budget?

While funding from this bond proposal would be independent of the district's general fund operating budget, the bond would likely have a positive impact on the district’s general fund by allowing the district to reallocate operating funds that are currently being spent on aging facilities, mechanical systems, and technology.

How would I know the bond funds would be spent the way they are supposed to be spent?

Every bond construction fund is required to have an independent audit, per Michigan Department of Treasury’s Bulletin 7 and Section 1351a of Public Act 451 of 1976 (the Revised School Code). The objective of the audit is to verify that the bond proceeds have been expended in accordance with both state law and the stated purposes for which the bonds were approved by voters.

The audit must be performed by an independent CPA, licensed with the Michigan State Board of Accountancy, and comply with generally accepted auditing standards as adopted by the American Institute of CPAs. A bond construction fund audit report is required after construction is completed as determined by a Certificate of Substantial Completion. This report is for the entire construction period, from the sale of the bond issue or the beginning of the project (whichever is earlier) through completion, and must include all activity in the fund for that period.

Are businesses and second homes (non-homestead properties) and primary homes (homestead properties) treated the same regarding bond millage?

Yes, businesses and second homes (non-homestead properties) and primary homes (homestead properties) are treated the same regarding bond millage. All properties that are subject to property taxation are assessed for the debt millage rate based on their taxable value.

Would money from the bond proposal be used to pay teachers’ salaries and benefits?

No. School districts are not allowed to use bond funds for operating expenses such as teacher, administrator or employee salaries, routine maintenance, or operating costs. Bond funds can only be spent for purposes approved by the voters. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.

At what point would the State of Michigan, as well as the local fire and police departments, provide input regarding the bond projects?

Each project would be required to be submitted to both the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) and the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) for both plan review and permitting. These agencies would review the projects to ensure compliance with applicable codes, before any building permits are issued. Building plans and specifications must be signed and sealed by a Licensed Architect/Professional Engineer before submission. As of March 21, 2019, Michigan law requires school districts to consult on the plans for the construction or major renovation regarding school safety issues with the law enforcement agency that is the first responder for that school building. This consultation would happen after a bond proposal has been approved by voters, during design and before construction.

What oversights would hold the district accountable?

If approved by voters, the district’s Architect/Engineer would design the proposed projects and prepare construction documents and specifications for the projects. Once the projects are designed, the district’s Construction Manager will assemble bid packages and publicly advertise to solicit competitive bids for all work. This is required by law, as outlined in the Revised School Code. This process ensures that the district selects the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. All qualified contractors will have an opportunity to attend a pre-bid meeting to obtain additional information and project clarification. All qualified contractors will have the opportunity to participate in the competitive bid process.

BOND SCOPE + SCHEDULE:

What would the project do to address improved health and comfort for building occupants?

The proposal provides voters the opportunity to grant or deny the school district permission to sell bonds that will be repaid through a debt millage (tax levy). The GLCS bond funds would be used to finance building improvements. Bond proposals may be placed on the ballot by school boards to be decided by the voting public.

How were the infrastructure items in the bond program identified?

The proposed infrastructure projects were identified as part of an in-depth building needs assessments and align with the goals established by the Glen Lake Community Schools Board of Education and is part of a ten-year capital spending plan.

Infrastructure improvements include:

Mechanical system updates such as replacing unit ventilators and adding new duct work distribution to support climate-controlled classrooms with improved indoor air quality
Connection to the new hot water boiler system and addition of air conditioning to classrooms
Classroom casework and flooring would be replaced as needed

VOTING INFORMATION:

Are owners of property located within the school district boundaries eligible to vote if they do not reside in the school district?

Property owners are only eligible to vote if they reside within the school district’s boundaries and are registered to vote. To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
A United States citizen
At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

If I rent a house or apartment and reside within the school district, can I vote?

Yes, if you rent a house or apartment you can vote if you reside within the school district and are registered. You must be a registered voter in the city or township you are living in and live within the school district’s boundaries.

How is an absentee voter ballot obtained?

Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive an absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then return it to your local clerk. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote. When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.

If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained online at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available as early as September 26 through election day, November 5, 2024.

What are the key dates leading up to the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 election day?

Registering to vote:
- The last day for voters to register by mail is October 21, 2024
- Voters may register in-person through November 5, 2024 (election day) with the required documentation
Absentee Voting:
- Absentee voter ballots are available as early as September 26, 2024
- Contact your local clerk with questions
Early Voting
- In-person early voting will begin October 26. Please contact the Leelanau County Clerk at 231-256-9824 to find out your early voting location and hours of operation.

Where and when will the vote occur?

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is election day, but absentee voting can occur leading up to that date. All registered voters may cast an absentee voter ballot by mail. Voters may also cast a ballot at the polling location established by their city/township. If you have questions or do not know where you vote, please contact your city/township clerk’s office. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

What is the ballot language?

GLEN LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL

Shall Glen Lake Community Schools, Leelanau and Benzie Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed EightMillion One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($8,175,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bondstherefor for the purpose of:

heating, ventilating, and air conditioning improvements to and remodeling of a school building?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025 is 0.48 mill ($0.48 on each $1.000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty (20) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 0.41 mill ($0.41 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)