The Suttons Bay Public School operating millage renewal proposal overwhelmingly passed in Tuesday’s presidential primary election, with 1,427 people voting in favor versus 474 opposed.
According to Leelanau County election results, most of those votes in favor of the millage renewal came from voters in Bingham Township (632) and Suttons Bay Township (636), as well as Elmwood Township (157).
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our school community, families, and voters in Suttons Bay Public Schools,” said Suttons Bay Superintendent Casey Petz. “The renewal of the Operating Millage provides for essential funding to support high quality programs and instruction for all students. Stable and adequate funding to support education allows the district to plan further ahead, implement our strategic plan efficiently, and pay operating costs like utility bills, staff salaries, and purchase curriculum. We are very fortunate to have the support of our voters and we will continue to do everything we can to build trust in our school system.”
The polls at the district’s middle school gym location were busy most of the day, but especially between noon and 1 p.m. when there was a line going out the door, said election chairperson Jennifer Herman, who arrived at 6 a.m. Tuesday to start setting up the voting area.
“This (turnout) is about kind of what we expected with the nine day early voting,” Herman said. “We are having a great turnout, I am very surprised, and the energy is just amazing that they are just excited to come and vote.”
The renewal will allow Suttons Bay Schools to continue to levy up to 18 mills on all property, except principal residences and other property exempted by law, for a period of four years from 2025-2028. The proposal affects only non homestead properties such as businesses and second homes, but does not include family’s primary residences. It also provides the opportunity for Suttons Bay to receive the full amount of per pupil funding from 2025-2028 for general operating costs like textbooks, staff, classroom materials, and technology.
This millage proposal would generate approximately $4.8 million in 2025, bringing in stable funding for adequate services to be provided to all Suttons Bay students.
The district is the only K-12 school in the county considered “in-formula,” and receives state funds on a per pupil amount. School districts like Suttons Bay received $9,608 for each student in the 2023-24 school year, which is an increase of $458.
May special election
Earlier this month, Suttons Bay Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a resolution to call on a special election in May to consider an $18.3 million bond request which will be used for “building and site purposes.” The May 7 election will be the second school-related proposal faced by district voters this year.
The goals of the bond proposal is to address long-standing issues with the north end of the complex, to modernize campus/ buildings to meet current and future needs, and to reduce the footprint of the campus/ school. It would also be used for the creation of a school support building, acquiring and installing instructional technology and equipment for school buildings, and equipping, developing, and improving playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities, driveways and sites.
If approved the estimated millage needed to cover the debt is .42 mills per $1,000 taxable property valuations. The proposal also states that the estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to retire this bond debt is 1.28 mills ($1.28 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).
