Saginaw Township Community Schools' Bond Proposal on May 2023 Ballot Defeated, 2024 Millage Renewal Vote Passes.

The Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education placed a $242.9 million bond proposal on the May 2, 2023 ballot. The bond asked to finance improvements at all school facilities and included revenue for demolishing three aging circular classroom pods and constructing a new Academic and Arts facility at Heritage High School.  Results of the vote show the bond proposal was unsuccessful.

A non-homestead millage renewal vote was placed on the February 27, 2024 ballot to continue the operational funding for the school district. This renewal is voted on every 11 years and represents $9.6 million in resources and basic operations. Results of the vote showed the millage renewal was successful.

The Saginaw Township Community Schools (STCS) is comprised of eight (8) elementary, middle and high schools within Saginaw Township, Michigan and serves nearly 4,800 students. 

How Are Saginaw Township Community Schools Funded?

What Is A Sinking Fund?

A Sinking Fund is a way for residents to invest directly in their school system by keeping their tax dollars local.
In Michigan, a Sinking Fund is a millage levied to support school safety improvements, technology improvements, and the repair and construction of school buildings. It is a “pay as you go” system that does not require borrowing money or paying interest. The Sinking Fund millage is calculated using the taxable value of a home, which is usually about half of the assessed value. Under current legislation, a district can levy up to 3 mills for up to 10 years with voter approval. Sinking Funds cannot be used for things like regular maintenance, purchasing teaching supplies or textbooks, or paying teacher and administrator salaries. In fact, the law requires districts with Sinking Funds to keep these funds separate from other district accounts. Sinking Funds must also receive a separate audit each year to ensure they are being spent appropriately. However, having a Sinking Fund to pay for safety improvements, technology improvements, and repairs allows the district to preserve the money it receives from the state to support instruction, programs, and salaries.

What Is ESSER? 

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund is part of the United States Education Department's Educational Stabilization Fund Program that awards grants to schools for the purpose of providing school districts with emergency funds to address the impact that the Novel Coronavirus Disease has had and continues to have on Elementary and Secondary Schools. For more information, please visit the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Cares Act and Coronavirus Relied Fund Information page.