ESCANABA - Residents of the Escanaba School District will head to the polls Tuesday to consider a $21.6 million bond proposal.
Polls will open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m., said Delta County Clerk Nancy Kolich.
Escanaba City Clerk Bob Richards said today is the last day for residents to file for an absentee ballot.
"The city clerk's office will be open today from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for qualified voters to seek an absentee ballot. Today is the last day they can be mailed," said Richards.
Monday is the last day for qualified voters to vote by absentee ballot at the city clerk's office from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
"Anyone wishing to vote with an absentee ballot, must vote in person on Monday with their ballot here at the city clerk's office," he said.
Residents in Cornell, Ford River and Wells Township will vote at their respective township halls.
Residents in Escanaba will head to the polls at either city hall in council chambers, Holy Name's north entrance, Jefferson Head Start's south entrance, and Webster school.
According to Escanaba Superintendent Michele Burley, the bond is being sought to pay for improvements addressing the schools' safe-
ty, energy and technology needs.
"With the passage of the proposal, the high school would see the bulk of the improvements estimated at $17.4 million," said Burley.
She added Lemmer Elementary would receive $2.7 million for improvements, with the remainder of the funds being used for upgrades at the Soo Hill and Webster buildings.
"The bond will also provide for improvements to the bus garage for an estimated cost of $91,116," added Burley.
If approved, the estimated additional millage, that would be levied property owners under current law, would be 1.99 mills, Burley explained.
"Under current law, the 1.99 mills averages out to $1.99 per $1,000 of taxable valuation," said Burley.
The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, continued Burley, exclusive of any refunding would be 20 years.
The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.17 mills or $2.17 on each taxable valuation.
"Compared to other districts in Delta County, Escanaba is really low in regards to what is levied now and in regards to what would be levied in the future," said Burley.
The bond proposal would allow the school district to renovate the nearly 50-year-old high school which has had virtually no renovations besides barrier-free requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the replacement of a boiler.
"The savings from the renovation of the high school, making it more energy efficient, is estimated between $50,000 to $75,000 in heating costs alone," said Burley.
As part of the renovation of the high school, improvements include a new roof, windows, temperature controls, and other energy-saving improvements.
"At the high school and Lemmer, there will be site improvements made including entrance and exit improvements, lighting, locks, and dedicated driveways for busses and cars," she said.
Improvements are also slated for Soo Hill and Webster elementary schools.
"The bus garage will have some walls rebuilt with the rebuilding to include insulation and removal of current walls which are rusting from the ground up," said Burley.
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Dionna Harris, (906) 786-2021, ext. 141, dharris@dailypress.net