Photo: Hancock Public Schools

Copper Country — Both Houghton-Portage Township School (HPTS) District, Hancock Public Schools and Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District’s (ETCCSD) proposals were passed by voters in Tuesday’s elections. The results for HPTS’ operating millage renewal were 971 votes in favor and 443 votes opposed. Hancock Public Schools bond proposal was closer, 651 to 454. ETCCSD passed with 352 votes in favor and 103 votes against.

The H-PT proposal allows the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, with the exception of principal residence and other property exempted by law. HPTS Superintendent Anders Hill said he was thankful to the community for supporting the schools and the results are something the school does not take lightly.

“We are just really grateful,” he said. “This is a really good thing for our district, and we’re excited about the future and all that we’re going to do for students.”

Hill explained since 1994 to get full funding for operations, schools have to have an operating millage on non-homestead properties, and the renewal will continue to allow the school to support students at the same level as the rest of the schools in the state. “I think we do a great job with students, and our results speak for themselves. And more than that, what our kids go on to achieve and what we’re able to be a part of, it’s really, really special,” he said.

Hancock Public Schools’ bond proposal is intended for building and site purposes in the amount not to exceed $13 million. These funds will go into upgrades for the school buildings’ heating, ventilation and air conditions systems (HVAC), electrical work and more. Hancock Public Schools Superintendent Chris Salani said he was pleased and thankful to the Bulldog community for supporting the schools’ request.

“This is an opportunity for the district now to take care of our infrastructure and plant needs, which should support us well into the next several decades,” Salani said. “It’s just an affirmative from everybody saying that they’re in full support of the things that we need to continue to operate and make our learning environments and atmosphere something we can be proud of for our students and our families.”

Salani explained Barkell Elementary school began its construction in 1987, and all the buildings including the high school are in need of the HVAC, electrical and plant infrastructure upgrades due to age.

“There’s nothing very glitzy and glamorous about it. It’s going to be everything that supports our daily operations, the behind the scenes, so to speak, elements that keep buildings open and operational,” Salani said.

The upgrades will be a two phase project, which will allow for timelines over the next two to three summers when school is not in session. Salani said the next critical step is to work with the engineering architectural firm, OHM, on the timeline identification of which pieces of the project will be done in the first phase and second phase as they identify the most critical elements that need to be taken cared of.

Salani said he was grateful to the Bulldog community and the school’s Board of Education both former and current members.

“[They] worked to help identify and our needs and areas of risk, and then helped with the planning process to ensure that our master plan, our strategic plan, can fully evolve into, the critical future elements that we take care of, as well as in with regard to our current and future students and families that are a member of the Bulldog community,” he said.

Ewen-Trout Creek’s operating millage renewal allows the school to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property except principal residence and other property exempted by law.