Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Houghton Portage Township School welcomed a handful of community members to the high school library to learn about the November bond extension. In the past year and a half the district has gathered public input from the community, using it to guide solutions to challenges with physical space. The district’s growth in the past decade has led to a need for more space at the elementary level to support the number of students entering Houghton Elementary.
The elementary school was last expanded in 1997. Our middle and high school was expanded in 2008. And through that growth that we’ve experienced over the last 10 years, really the pinch point first has come at the elementary school. So really that’s why we’re looking at solving that. And really through this process also trying to elevate education in the district and support our community’s growth. – Anders Hill, Superintendent, Houghton Portage Township Schools
Another part of the plan will design a early childcare center in the district, similar to the CLK Childcare Center in Calumet. Superintendent Anders Hill shared that the district has heard from the community a desire and need for more early childcare options.
The district’s current bond status shows about 16 million dollars in outstanding bonds, and close to another 6 million dollars in loans. The current millage rate will expects to end in 2029. The extension would add another two years, collecting the same 9.64 mills from each household in the district, for 23 million dollars.
So it would not increase taxes, but it would keep the current rate from dropping off in 2029 to start dropping off in 2031 With that two-year extension it would levy about 23 million dollars for projects so we understand that taxpayers would be paying for an extra two years at the current millage rate and You know just going back to what I said before if people see the value in it and think we’ve been good stewards of what we’ve been given We’re hoping that that’s something that they would look at supporting. – Anders Hill, Superintendent, Houghton Portage Township Schools
Those interested in learning more about the Houghton Portage Township school district bond extension and future information sessions can find more details below.
Check out a recent Copper Country Today Episode featuring Superintendent Anders Hill and Host Todd Van Dyke here.
Houghton Portage Township School’s Bond Extension videos here.
