H-PT board OKs bond proposal
By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
POSTED: May 20, 2008
HOUGHTON — The Houghton-Portage Township Board of Education approved a $12.5 million bond referendum Monday for elections on Aug. 5.
The bond would include facility updates such as technology and security/safety system upgrades, window replacements and energy conservation measures throughout the district’s buildings. The high school/middle school would gain a new music room and gym, as well as exterior improvements and additional parking.
The bond would extend the debt payoff schedule by four years, to 2030. The district will have the same millage rate.
The district recently conducted an energy audit to look for ways to become more energy-efficient. The district is expected to save $3 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.
The board also passed a resolution to support equity in state funding of schools, which runs from about $7,000 per student to $9,000, depending on the district.
“If the state is going to provide that funding, it should be equal throughout the state,” said Superintendent Bill Polkinghorne.
However, they specified, they would not support the removal of district’s ability to levy additional millage. Board President Brad Baltensperger said the districts at the far end of the spectrum, such as $14,000 per student, are those that opt out of the funding.
In other action, the board:
• hired Derek Gardner as boys basketball coach. Gardner was previously girls basketball coach at Calumet.
• recognized the High School Bowl team and coach Bill Martell. The team recently won the High School Bowl championship.
• heard a presentation from the high school FIRST Robotics team. The team finished 20th out of 62 teams in a regional competition in Milwaukee.
Polkinghorne complimented both teams.
“You go out there and you represent all of us ... and I hear about it all the time,” he said.
• hired Carl Hartman as a consultant from the Michigan Association of School Boards to look for ways for the district to save money.
• approved the Copper Country Intermediate School District budget.
• scheduled a public hearing on the 2008-09 budget for 5:15 p.m. June 16.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com
