Sinking Fund Millage
Thank you for your steadfast support of Tecumseh Public Schools and our students!
The unofficial 2024 election results are now available, with all precincts in Lenawee County reporting. Below is a summary of the results for the Sinking Fund Millage and the TPS Board of Education election.
We deeply appreciate your commitment to our schools. The Sinking Fund will provide dedicated resources to maintain a safe, conducive learning environment without reducing instructional funds, ensuring that more resources stay in the classroom. For further details and a list of planned projects funded by the Sinking Fund, please visit our webpage.
Sinking Fund Results
Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Yes | 5,560 | 53% |
No | 4,922 | 47% |
School Board Member Results (four-year term)
Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Greg Lewis | 4,376 | 15% |
Becky Brooks | 3,907 | 13% |
Lynne Davis | 3,856 | 13% |
Heather McGee | 3,800 | 13% |
Darin L. Miller | 3,493 | 12% |
Holly Willey | 3,405 | 12% |
Michelle Malewitz | 3,390 | 12% |
Joe Kokenakes | 3,019 | 10% |
School Board Member Results (partial term)
Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Tim Simpson | 6,158 | 92% |
Unresolved Write-In | 537 | 8% |
Building Tomorrow, Together
A sinking fund is a “pay as you go” system approved by local voters that allows school districts to pay cash for repairs and improvements as needed, ensuring that necessary work can be completed without incurring debt. Tecumseh Public Schools has several areas requiring significant infrastructure repair and upgrades over the next five years (millage ends in 2029) to maintain a safe and effective learning environment. However, current State of Michigan funding does not cover the maintenance, repairs, or improvements of school buildings. To address this funding gap, Tecumseh Public Schools, like many other districts across Michigan, relies on a sinking fund millage to finance these essential repairs and upgrades.
The 2024 Sinking Fund Millage will be on the ballot on November 5th, 2024. The proposal seeks a 1.75 mill levy over a period of five years. If approved by voters, this levy would generate approximately $7.5 million for the district over the five-year period, which equates to about $1.5 million annually. These funds would be specifically allocated for CAPITAL PROJECTS including the maintenance, repair, and improvement of school facilities, ensuring that the district can address its infrastructure needs in a timely and financially responsible manner.
The TPS Board of Education has committed to setting aside 3% of our budget (approximately $750,000 annually) for building repairs. The proposed sinking fund will supplement our 3% set-aside to cover projected infrastructure costs over the next five years. This approach allows us to use our current funds wisely, ask only for what we need, and maximize our resources.
By voting in favor of the 2024 Sinking Fund Millage, community members can directly contribute to the long-term sustainability and improvement of their local schools, providing a better environment for both students and staff.
To summarize:
The Sinking Fund Millage would begin in 2025 and end in 2029
Money will be used for essential building repairs and capital projects
Property owners, including those with primary residences, will pay this millage ($131.25 per year for a property with a taxable value of $75,000)
Approval of this Millage will ensure necessary repairs and maintenance can be performed without straining the general fund
Project list is for a period of over five years. Projects listed are in no particular order. The pool will be the first project of this sinking fund.
Facts:
The resolution to millage a 1.75 mill sinking fund was approved unanimously by the school board
The millage is expected to raise approximately $7.5 million over five years
The initial project funded by this millage will be the repair of the Tecumseh Memorial Community Pool roof, estimated to cost about $2.5 million
The sinking fund will also cover other critical building and site projects, such as repaving driveways, roof repair, technology updates, and more
The district's general fund cannot cover the projected building maintenance costs beyond the 2024-25 school year without this levy
Letter to TPS Families
Official Sinking Fund Millage Press Release
Sinking Fund Millage Informational Meeting - 9/24/2024
Sinking Fund Planned Projects (CAPITAL PROJECTS)
What is a Mill?
A mill represents $1 for every $1,000 of the taxable value of your property. The taxable value of your property is equal to or less than the state equalized value (SEV), and is typically around 50% of the market value of your property.
What is the approximate impact of the sinking fund levy on property taxes?
We asked for an increase of 1.75 mills for five years. This will be about $1.5 million per year for facility improvements or just over $7.5 million five years. Below is the estimated impact on your property taxes.
Tax Calculator
The Tecumseh Public Schools financial advisor PFM developed a millage rate calculator for all District residents to use to calculate the proposed 1.75 mill increase for their own home.
Visit this online millage rate calculator to determine how the proposed 1.75 mill increase for the 2024 November Levy initiative would impact your taxes. To utilize the calculator, you will need the taxable value of your property as issued by the Lenawee County Treasurer's Office.
TECUMSEH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Tecumseh Public Schools, Lenawee County, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.75 mills ($1.75 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2025 to 2029, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings; for school security improvements; for the acquisition or upgrading of technology; and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2025 is approximately $1,502,986?
