How would the 2025 Bond Proposal help us to Advance Excellence?

RPS 2025 Bond Proposal Video

In Michigan, districts manage daily operations and long-term infrastructure through three main funds: the General Fund, which covers everyday expenses like staff salaries and classroom resources; the Sinking Fund, a voter-approved millage for facility upgrades; and the Bond Fund, voter-approved bonds which finances major capital projects and upkeep, such as new buildings or large-scale renovations. 

1. General Fund (operating expenses)

• Funded by 6 mills of State Education millage assessed to all districts in the state. This was a result of Proposal A in the 1990's.
• Funded by 18 mills of voter-approved, non-homestead millage which is the portion of the per-pupil foundation allowance that the district is responsible for contributing towards.
• Usage: Day to day operations. Includes wages, benefits, purchased services, supplies, utilities, etc.
• Does not provide enough money for capital improvement. 

2. Bond Fund (capital improvements)

• Voter approved.
• Bonds are sold. Proceeds from those bonds pay for capital improvements/additions in the district. 
• Legally not allowed to use bond proceeds to pay for day-to-day operations.
• Currently requires 7 mills of debt millage for debt repayment. 
• Allows the district to maintain facilities and focus the General Fund dollars on teachers, staff, and the classrooms.

3. Sinking Fund (capital projects over time)

• Voter approved. Currently funded by 0.4662 mills.
• Can be used for replacement of failing equipment, paving, and construction projects.
• "Safety Net" that allows the district to take care of upkeep and improvements without having to use General Fund dollars. Keeps General Fund dollars focused on the classroom.

We would be building for the future by providing safe and functional spaces that support and enhance educational programs. We would do this by:

• Adding air-conditioning to all remaining schools that need it.
• Improving safety and security by installing electronic door locks for all classrooms.
• Enhancing entry circulation and safety by improving students' experiences and strengthen safety at Rockford HS and East Rockford MS.
• Gyms and/or cafeterias will be added to all remaining elementary schools to allow all to have separate gym and cafeteria spaces.
• Updating aging infrastructure, such as: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofs, and outdated systems.
• Enhancing outdoor facilities (restrooms, seating, entry/exit) to improve community experience.
• Updating technology infrastructure. 
• Playground equipment upgrades to all remaining schools.
• Replacing aging buses to maintain the replacement cycle to keep the bus fleet modern and safe.

Sinking funds are voter-approved millages that generate revenue over time.  While districts can legally use sinking funds for construction, repair, buses, and technology, sinking funds are not intended for large projects because revenue is not generated in a timely manner and does not generate the amount of revenue needed.

The sinking fund in Rockford is currently 0.4662 mills and generates just over one million dollars a year. 

Voters would need to approve an increase in the sinking fund millage in order to expand the sinking fund.  Expanding the sinking fund to the permissible 3 mills would generate approximately $6-9 million dollars a year. 

While sinking funds can be part of the construction and maintenance of school district buildings, they do not generate the revenue needed for big projects. For example, our elementary air conditioning project is estimated to cost between $35-$40 million dollars. If the district were to ask and voters were to approve a 3 mill sinking fund, at an estimated $6-$9 million dollars generated per year, it would take 4-5 years to generate the funds needed to complete the air conditioning project.  No revenue would be available for other needed projects or repairs since all revenue would be saved for the large project. 

Since the sinking fund was approved by voters in 2019, the sinking fund has paid for the following projects:

•  2021 East Rockford Middle paving
• 2021 East Rockford Middle flooring
• 2024 East Rockford Middle elevator repair
• 2024 Valley View paving 
• 2024 Roguewood asbestos abatement 

Rockford Public Schools has a history of prioritizing general fund dollars for the classroom. The use of bond proceeds has helped make this possible. Bond proceeds have allowed the district to provide updated facilities with security enhancements for our students, staff, and community. Bond proceeds have helped Rockford Public Schools to be very efficient with its general fund dollars. 

The Michigan Department of Education Bulletin 1014 ranks over 700 districts and charter schools on a variety of factors. 

The lower the ranking number, the more money the district spends in that area.

Rockford has the following ranks:

• Business and administrative cost: 693
• Operations and maintenance cost: 491
• Prioritizing money to the classroom, basic programs: 163