Houghton Portage Township Schools bond extension invests in the district’s future

Houghton Portage Township Schools will soon find out what taxpayers think about potential expansion at the elementary level. Since the start of 2023, the district has worked to develop a bond millage proposal, funding projects that will add space at the elementary level and enhance security technology for facilities. Superintendent Anders Hill knew when the school board and himself began working on the proposal not everyone would agree right away. Some concerns over potentially passing the millage extension relate to the district’s existing 22 million dollars in bond-related debt. Hill adds that he believes the district has shown a track record as good stewards of bond funds.

And our district’s job is to put the best plan that we thought forward and again voters will decide if they see the value in it or not. So I’m proud of our process and I’m proud of the input that we gathered for the plan. This was not something that was my plan or the board’s plan. I felt like it was our school community’s plan – Anders Hill, Superintendent, Houghton-Portage Township Schools

School board president Amanda Massoway says the board needs to address these challenges for the district’s future. Over the last decade, the schools have added 101 more students.

The success we’ve seen over the last 10 years has been due to how teachers teach in small groups. There are small-group interventions. The state has also started to fund other services, including roles like behavior specialists, and SRO. We also have gotten other grants to provide health care and social work. And so all of these extra services do, require space to be able to make an impact. – Amanda Massoway, Board President, Houghton-Portage Township School Board

The current millage rate will drop off in 2029. If the proposal is passed by voters the millage will not begin to drop off until 2031. Also if the bond passes the added debt would not be paid off by the HPTS until 2055.

We’ve said from the beginning of this process the extension of the current millage rate isn’t free. We are asking our community to invest in our district. We want to point out that all three of our schools to a rating in the top three percent of all schools in the state. Over the lifetime of this bond here at home has a taxable value of a hundred thousand dollars as it is stated in the ballot language the estimated simple annual average $2.77 for each thousand dollars of taxable valuation. – Anders Hill, Superintendent, Houghton-Portage Township Schools

Those interested in learning more about the Houghton Portage Township School District bond millage extension proposal can find more information on the district’s website here.

Those interested in checking out an information flyer Scott MacInnes has shared with the public can find more information here and here.