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Board plans info strategy on bond proposal

HOUGHTON – People looking for more information on the Houghton-Portage Township Schools’ new bond proposal will have several avenues.

Last week, the board voted to put a $8.69 million bond referendum on the May 2 primary election ballot. The money will go to security and technology updates, energy conservation improvements, facility upgrades and the renovation of the physical education/athletic complex.

The first public presentation on the proposal will take place at 6:30 p.m. on March 2 in the Houghton High School library. The board is also posting information at hpts.us. That will eventually include a tax calculator for people to find out how much additional tax they would pay if the millage passes.

“That is a question that people will have, and that will definitely help them out,” said Superintedent Doreen Klingbeil.

A separate email address will also be set up where people can ask Klingbeil questions about the bond proposal.

Klingbeil met with the district’s sports boosters last week, and will also meet with the staff and the Houghton Rotary.

Klingbeil said she had gotten a small amount of feedback since the bond election was announced, all of it positive.

“It just went out last week, so it’s been quiet and people aren’t really focused on this right now,” she said. “Before you know it, it’ll be April, and they’ll be focused on it and asking more questions.”

Board member Buck Foltz said a Houghton Department of Public Works member had told him the bleachers had come from Hubbell Field, which Michigan Technological University football used until the construction of Sherman Field in 1981.

“If anyone wonders if it’s really necessary, they can purchase a plank to bring home and get slivers in their butt from,” he said.

The bleachers aren’t Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, Klingbeil said. Additionally, meets aren’t being scheduled at Houghton due to the disrepair and poor drainage of the track.

“At this time, it’s really not safe for students to be running in water and puddles and ripples,” she said.

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