The McBain school district is asking voters to approve a bond proposal of just over two-million dollars to upgrade their aging bus system. The school would use the funding to purchase ten busses over four-years.
Superintendent Scott Akom said the current fleet is costing money for repairs and that they even had to replace engines in a couple of them.
“The only thing I can say is the district back in the recession, starting in 2010, wanted to keep the money and focus on classrooms, on kids, purchasing buses just kind of fell to the wayside," he explained. "Kicked the can down the road, if you will, and well the can can't get kicked much further down the road.”
They are asking for a $2.12 million bond proposal for transportation upgrades. But that's not the only thing on the ballot May 2nd.
McBain Schools are also in need of many upgrades to the school itself. So a $3-million "sinking fund" will also be up for a vote.
Superintendent Akom said "We're looking to continue to purchase our instructional technology for our students, which averages about 210 to $240,000 a year, to maintain one to one technology for our students. The district's been fortunate with the extra funding from the federal government and from the state, where we've been able to purchase those devices with that money for our students, but that money is no longer."
A sinking fund is similar to a bond except with a sinking fund, you don't incur debt. The district collects the money from the townships and from the city and then it's pay as you go, there is no interest. There is no debt incurred. But there are limitations on what you can purchase... and buses cannot be purchased with sinking fund dollars. That's why there are two different proposals on the May ballot.
Besides technology, the sinking fund will also go towards much needed renovations. The McBain Schools will need roof repairs, track renovations and security. The schools is looking at creating secure entrances for the buildings into all three schools into the office areas, creating secure vestibules for visitors to come in to maintain security. That means replacement of doors, film over windows upgrading, PA systems, and alarm systems.
