Good morning Pontiac School District community. I'm Doctor Kimberly Leverette Superintendent. The election is Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. What is on the ballot for Pontiac Schools? There is one question on the November 4th election. This is for renewal of a 7. 08 million sinking fund for five years. Again, a point seven nine zero eight sinking fund for five years. This is not tax increase. Well, how is
that possible? This is a renewal of a current tax and not a new tax. Currently, the taxpayers in the Pontiac School District are paying. 7908 meals annually for a sinking fund. This amount has been automatically reduced due to the headly rollback from the previously approved point eight zero zero meals approved by the voters in twenty twenty. This middle expired with the summer 2025 tax bills. If the proposal
passes, the millage rate will stay at the current point 7908 meals for five years or possibly reduce further due to the headly rollbacks. How much is this going to cost me, you ask? Again, the tax rate does not change since is it a it is a renewal. The following is what you are currently paying based on certain home values if you a look at the chart here you will see that the taxpayers paid $32 for a home valued at
$40, 047, 000 for a home based at $60, 000 79 for $100, 000 home value $119 for $150, 000 value $158 for a $200, 000 home and $237 for a $300, 000 home market value. Current taxes, the sinking fund again is zero point seven nine zero eight
mills. The proposed taxes is for a sinking fund with 0 point seven nine oh8 mills. What can the sinking fund millage be used for? Well, the one big benefit versus a bond issue is that a sinking fund can be used for is building repairs. This allows for dollars to stay into the classroom versus being on repairs. Also, sinking fund dollars can also be used for
such things as building construction, school security improvements, and technology. What can a sinking fund millage not be used for? You cannot pay employee wages or benefits. You cannot pay for general maintenance. You cannot pay for teaching supplies, material, equipment, or furniture as well as most other expenditures that are normally paid out of a district's operating budget. What is the plan for the
sinking fund for the next five years? Of the expected 3. 1 million annual dollars generated, the district will set aside $500, 000 annually for repairs and the remainder of the funds will be used to enhance technology, security, and complete small construction projects. What happens if the sinking fund millage doesn't pass? The repair cost will come out of the general fund which reduces dollars available for students, technology, and security needs will be impacted
with needs not addressed and or dollars coming out of the general fund and small projects such as bathroom upgrades, playgrounds, flooring, these things may not occur. Like most people, you may think how do property taxes collected from Pontiac schools compared to other Oakland school districts. Actually, all of the public school districts in Oakland County, Pontiac Schools have the lowest combined mileage rate. Again, This sinking fund renewal is critical to Pontiac
School District and we look forward to continuing to be able to use these dollars to provide the very needs that our students need to be successful. Thank you again and have a great day.