School District Seeking Bond Without Tax Increase

The Hanover-Horton School District is asking voters in Jackson and Hillsdale Counties to approve a $3.9 million bond measure in the May 5 election. The district says the bond would not constitute a millage increase and would not change the total tax levied.

Bond funds would be used to upgrade facilities and infrastructure at the elementary and middle/high school buildings. According to the district, the most pressing needs include replacing 25- to 30-year-old boilers in all three schools and addressing about 132,000 square feet of leaking and aging roofing over the middle and high school buildings.

The roofing renovations will ultimately save the district money in heating and cooling costs, according to the district.

Other proposed upgrades include refurbishing windows in the high school, replacing lockers in the middle and high school, and replacing window blinds in the middle and high school. At the elementary school, the district would replace the folding wall between the cafeteria and gym, as well as folding chairs and tables throughout the district's buildings.

Superintendent Says Bond Allows Existing Funds to Continue

Superintendent Denise Bergstrom told the Michigan Advance that these improvements are necessary for the buildings, students, and the surrounding community. She said the bond allows existing funds to continue being used for dedicated purposes.

Projects like new boilers, roof replacement and refurbishing windows help keep our school functioning smoothly so that students have a safe, warm and dry environment to learn in, according to Bergstrom in an email. If a boiler fails, we lose our heat source, and without heat, we would have to cancel school.

Bergstrom noted that if the bond doesn't pass, the district would have to use its sinking fund for the next eight years, specifically for the boilers and roof replacement. She said these items are essential for operations and must be completed soon.

Bond Would Be Paid Over 25 Years

The district's current two mills are levied over 25 years, and the rate is the lowest in Jackson County. The bond measure would allow the district to replace aging infrastructure that was addressed thirty years ago in their 1995-1996 bond.

May 5 Election Context

The Hanover-Horton bond is one of several school and public safety measures appearing on May 5 ballots across mid-Michigan. Other Jackson County measures include:

  • Columbia Twp. Fire Protection Renewal Millage — $251,000 renewal
  • Columbia Twp. Police Protection Renewal Millage — $503,000 renewal
  • Columbia Twp. Additional Fire Department Operating Millage — $247,000 for additional funding
  • Columbia Twp. Additional Police Department Operating Millage — $142,000 for additional funding
  • Vandercook Lake School Bond — $9.2 million for remodeling school buildings, plumbing and HVAC improvements, security, and athletic facilities
  • Grass Lake Schools Bond — $41.9 million for partially remodeling the elementary, middle, and high schools and additions to the middle school

Voter Information

Both homeowners and renters in the district are eligible to vote in the May 5 election. Unregistered voters may register in-person at their local clerk's office up to and on election day.

Early in-person voting sites will be open through May 4. Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.