Guest Column: Renewal Vote For Grant Schools Coming Tuesday

From the GPS Supe: Understanding the non homestead millage

In Grant, every four years, our community is asked to renew our Operating Millage.  This is completely different from the millage that Grant Public Schools asked for in May, this is something all school districts in Michigan ask for from time to time, in Grant it is every 4 years.

The proposal on the ballot August 2nd will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate, not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except primary residence (your home) and other property exempted by law.  This is required for our school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews this millage that was last approved in 2018.

Just for clarification:

-This is a renewal of our operating millage and not a new millage.
-Grant Public Schools can only collect up to 18 mills.
-This operating millage supports our students, families, community, and school system.

IMPORTANT FACTS

• Election Day: August 2, 2022 from 7am-8pm.
• This proposal does NOT impact the taxes on residential or most agricultural property.
• This is a renewal of the current operating millages that voters approved in 2018.
• This renewal is for a period of four years.
• This is a renewal on non-homestead property only.
• This is not a new tax, only a renewal to hold our per-pupil funding at current State-approved levels. 
• This money is used for district operations.
• This money cannot be replaced by other sources.
• Even though primary households are not impacted, state law requires a district-wide election to approve this millage.
• Due to the Headlee Amendment rollback, Grant Public Schools is at risk of losing the full 18 mills that non-homestead property owners pay for schools. 
• Under state law, Grant Public Schools may only levy 18 mills for general operating purposes.

Again, all public schools in Michigan are required to ask voters to approve their operating millages at various times, our time is again on August 2nd.  It is crucial for the students of Grant Public Schools to be afforded the same opportunities that all other students across our State are given.  If the millage does not pass, then we will be charged with making many very difficult decisions in reducing programming for our students.  This could include direct program cuts, downsizing staff who help our students, elimination of partial and/or full programs, as well as many other potential cuts.  This would be a devastating blow to the children of Grant Public Schools, especially after all of the challenges they faced over the past couple of years.

Thank you for your continued support of Grant Public Schools and our students and thank you for taking the time to get out and vote.

Brett Zuver
Superintendent
Grant Public Schools

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