Reese Public Schools Information

Please vote on November 5, 2019. Reese Public Schools will have a 1.5 mill renewal (NO INCREASE) on the ballot for their sinking fund on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The primary purpose of the five-year sinking fund proposal is to finance ongoing repairs in the district. Sinking funds have been used in Reese Public Schools since 1996. Using sinking fund monies, the district has been able to repair buildings and facilities and keep them up-to-date, which has then allowed the district to use more operating funds for educating its students. Projects that have been completed since the sinking fund passed in 1996 are demolition of the middle school, renovation of the 6-12 building, roofing, bleachers, concession stand at the football field and softball field, sidewalks, fencing, carpet, renovation of the learning commons, replace boilers at the 6-12 building, and the construction of middle school/high school storage shed. Why doesnt the ballot language say increase and not renewal? With the passing of (HB 4388) as Public Act 319 in 2016, the district will be allowed to use sinking fund dollars for security improvements and technology. The passing of this important legislation will help us secure our buildings for a safer learning environment and give us the most updated technology. Under the prior law, sinking fund could only be used for the construction or repair of school buildings or to purchase real estate. PA 319 changes that. However, we cant use renewal in the ballot language due to the law change, even though it is not an increase over the previous sinking fund. Why does the ballot language say purchase of real estate? Reese Public Schools, with legal counsel recommendation, feels its important to include all possible opportunities under the current law. However, Reese Public Schools does not have any intention of purchasing farmland or property with sinking fund dollars. Can sinking fund dollars pay for staff salaries? A sinking fund cannot be used to pay for salaries, maintenance, operational costs (other ...