School millage on Tuesday’s ballot

The public school district is seeking a millage renewal this Tuesday.

 
By Charles Sercombe
Maybe you have seen a few yellow and black lawn signs around town saying: “Vote yes for the non-homestead millage renewal.”
Or maybe you can’t see anything on the lawns around town because of the snow.
But no matter, there is indeed an election coming up: Next Tuesday, Feb. 24, to be exact.
The election has only one item on the ballot: A proposal to renew a millage for the public school district.
This is no ordinary tax millage. Instead of homeowners bearing the financial burden, this tax is paid only by those who own commercial buildings and rental dwellings.
That means very few people who own homes or live here will end up paying the tax. But the tax plays a large role in supporting the school district.
According to the school district, it brings in $1.88 million a year. The district’s total budget for the year is about $30 million.
School District Superintendent Tom Niczay said the loss of this funding source would cause deep financial harm.
“The state will not replace the loss of funding and Hamtramck Public Schools will be forced to reduce or cut programs,” Niczay said.
Niczay went on to say: “It is critical to programming and staffing that this Tuesday’s Non-Homestead Millage renewal passes. We receive $28 million in state funding and if it does not pass we will lose $1.88 million a year.
“We receive another $4 million in federal funding. The federal funding has specific uses and it can’t be used for general fund expenses. Hiring a high school biology teacher or a third grade teacher for example is a general fund expense and federal monies cannot be used. Hiring a reading support teacher or an academic coach are examples of allowable use of federal funds.
“Tuesday’s Millage is the same tax that has been in place since 2005. NO ONE will pay a tax increase. A yes vote means no new taxes.”
The tax millage, if passed, will be good for another 10 years.
So far it appears few voters have taken an interest in the election. City Clerk August Gitschlag reports that out of 285 absentee ballots issues, 191 have been returned.
Normally at this point in an election there are several hundred AV ballots issued and returned.
If the absentee ballots are any indication, it looks like Tuesday’s election will be a sleeper.
Niczay said that if voters reject the millage, the district will try its hand again at the next election date.