Proposal A capped school district funding. Huron Valley Schools continues to receive less money per student than the state average . The economy directly impacts K-12 funding. Decreases in state funds over the last several years has resulted in lower revenues to Huron Valley Schools. Each year Huron Valley Schools receives less money per student from revenue sources than the costs incurred to educate our students.

From 2002 to 2009, the District implemented over $17M in reoccurring budget reductions to balance the budget. Repeated years of little or no revenue increases coupled with greater increases in expenses prompted these budget reductions. In addition to the reoccurring budget reductions, the District continues to use savings to offset additional shortfalls and will deplete all savings in two years without further budget reductions or additional state funding. For the 2008-09 school year, the State used $2.8M in Federal stimulus funds to cover state funding shortfalls. In addition, State economic projections show funding for schools will decrease substantially and the Governor and State Department are warning Districts to expect less funding in the future.

In 2001, the voters approved a bond, a portion of which purchased buses and technology. Many of those computers and buses are reaching the end of their useful life. In 2009, the voters approved a $13.5M bond to purchase new buses and replace aging technology.

The Bond allows the District to:

Replace our aging bus fleet over the next nine years. State standards recommend that we replace buses approximately every 10 years. The District currently has some buses that are 13 years old and is finding it increasingly difficult to use the General Fund to replace buses.
Update our technology. Teachers and staff must use computers everyday as required by the State for teaching, pupil accounting, financial reporting, registry of educational personnel, etc. In addition, we must continue to provide the tools for our students to become proficient in the use of technology so they can compete in the world market.

The District's Building & Site Sinking Fund (BSSF) Millage, was first approved by the voters in 2000 and renewed in 2009. The BSSF provides needed resources to repair and renovate facilities to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment.

The BSSF millage:

Provides $2.4M annually for projects such as roofing, windows, doors and locks, flooring, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and paving.
Offset future, more costly expenditures by initiating repairs and renovations before becoming a major problem to correct or becoming a safety issue.

Both of these millages provide needed resources and relieve the General Fund so that operating money can be used for teaching and learning with no increase to the taxpayer.

With the support of our Huron Valley community, we will continue to provide a safe and quality learning environment for our staff and our students. In turn, great schools translate into great communities.