MCS holding forums to discuss Zero Mill Increase, Bond Renewal ballot proposal

submitted by Brad Bezeau, Manchester Community Schools superintendent

Manchester Community Schools Zero Mill Increase, Bond Renewal ballot proposal and election is taking place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, throughout the Manchester Community Schools district. This Zero Mill Increase, Bond Renewal ballot proposal will go to all of the voters on this day for their consideration to provide the following improvements and projects for the students in the Manchester Community Schools.

With a focus on “Warm, Safe, and Dry” updates and enhancements throughout the district, the main focus areas of the proposed zero increase bond renewal in the amount of $64,820,000 will be the following:

Educational Programming and Resources at Luther C. Klager Elementary School
Carpet, Paint, Consistent Furnishings, and Lighting Throughout the Building
Developmentally Appropriate Playground Equipment
Interior Finishes and Cabinetry
Parking Lot and Sidewalks
HVAC: Cooling System Building-Wide

Educational Programming and Resources at Riverside Intermediate School
Carpet, Paint, Consistent Furnishings, and Lighting Throughout the Building
Developmentally Appropriate Playground Equipment and Update
Renovation of the STEAM Lab and Room
Music Room Upgrade and Storage

Educational Programming and Resources at Manchester Jr./Sr. High School
STEAM/Machining/Welding Center and Wing
Community-Based Instruction/Special Education Room and Kitchen Renovation
Six to Eight–Lane Competitive Track Update and Resurfacing
Musical Instrument Replacement
Auxiliary Gymnasium and Club Sports Area and Arena:

• Youth Sports
• Senior Center and Usage/Indoor Pickleball Courts
• Robotics and Student Club Area and Arena

The majority of the zero increase bond renewal of current existing funding from our community will focus on the replacement of roofs, rooftop HVAC units (Warm and Dry), enhanced vestibule and entryway safety features, updated and enhanced communication connected safety networks to local and surrounding law enforcement, and the replacement of carpet, paint, lighting systems, and furnishings at Luther C. Klager Elementary and Riverside Intermediate Schools. The proposed updates and enhancements ensure that we remain a viable and competitive school district in our surrounding area and become a draw to others who might be interested in joining our school district and programming.

Please take a look at the following presentation and summary of our proposal to gain a further understanding of the process that we have gone through to get to this point, and the planning and summary of projects that you will be considering at the Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Zero Increase, Bond Renewal in the Manchester Community Schools. The link to the presentation is included here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14XSWjD2ttxUhwXv3RzTm8sBYGRlR4Q1sXIswN3zNjTc/edit?usp=sharing.

Additional information, including our Bond Renewal FAQ, Bond Fact Sheet, and Bond Proposed Improvements, can be found on the Manchester Community Schools website at the following location: https://www.manchesterschools.us/bond/.

Also, please consider joining us at one of our upcoming Manchester Community Schools Zero Increase, Bond Renewal Community and Family Forums taking place on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, beginning at 6pm in the Luther C. Klager Synergy Center (Media Center) and also on Thursday, September 28, 2023, beginning at 6pm in the Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Media Center.

Finally, please use the following links to find out more about the voting process, how to register to vote, how to receive an absentee ballot, and all other voter information for Washtenaw County (https://www.washtenaw.org/2753/Information-for-Voters) and Jackson County (https://www.co.jackson.mi.us/351/Elections).

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.