Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy.
Dear Editor,
Please share this letter which I have addressed to the families of Mason County Central School District:
Around spring break and in recent weeks, you likely have heard or will hear about the first-of-its-kind Statewide School Facilities Study. I would like to tell you a little about this historic study, and how it may be a useful tool as part of our continued efforts to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for all Spartans.
This state-funded study, approved by the Michigan Legislature in 2022, determined the actual cost for all Michigan traditional K-12 school buildings to meet basic health, safety and wellness standards. In 2023, educators statewide formed the nonprofit School Finance Research Foundation to oversee the study. The foundation study builds on the 2018 School Finance Research Collaborative study, which for the first time determined the true cost to educate a Michigan student.
The Statewide School Facilities Study provides district-level costs for each school evaluated to meet basic facility standards. This study only provides costs for meeting basic standards for things like HVAC, roofing, electrical, and plumbing. The study does not include administrative, athletic, playground or transportation facilities, additions, renovations or remodeling, or replacing things like sidewalks or buses.
This was an extensive, statewide review of 2,534 buildings, including some of ours, over a two-year period. The report is a roadmap that lets us – as one Spartan community – determine what, if any, investments we need to make to ensure our students continue to have a safe place to learn, grow and thrive. Overall, the goal is for the Statewide School Facilities Study to become an essential part of the ongoing school funding discussion at the state and local levels.
The State of Michigan is currently one of 11 states that does not provide funding specifically for capital improvements. Those are typically funded through voter approved bond projects and/or sinking funds. In 2006 the Mason County Central School District‘s voters supported a $16.9 million bond to build the Upper Elementary School, put an addition on and renovate portions of the High School, and renovate the Middle School and Scottville Elementary.
Since 2017 the Mason County Central School District has invested over $6.35 million general fund dollars to maintain and improve our school facilities.
- In 2017-18 we invested $3.6 Million in improvements to our HVAC systems, campus-wide LED lighting, track resurfacing and asphalt replacement/repair at the Middle School.
- In 2022-23 we invested $350,000 in doors and windows at the Middle School and EIFS System at Scottville Elementary.
•In2021-23weinvestedjustunder$1Millionin techdevicesandInfrastructureplus a firstofits kind Immersion Room.
- In 2022-23 we invested $1.2 million in roof replacements at Victory Early Childhood Center, Scottville Elementary, Middle School and High School.
- In 2024 we invested $200,000 in phase two of our asphalt repair/replacement/seal coating at the High School, Middle School and Scottville Elementary.
As a district, we’ll work with our school board and community to determine how we might utilize this roadmap to help us continue to provide a safe, healthy learning environment that prepares our students for success and careers.
Sincerely,
Jeff Mount, superintendent
Mason County Central Schools
Scottville
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