Guiding Our District: Rockford Public Schools CORE VALUES

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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.

By creating learning environments that enhance innovation and opportunity. 

• Performing Arts Center renovation: new seats, stage, walls and interior improvements. 
• Construction of the Ram Center: indoor turf fieldhouse for athletics, fine arts and community recreation. Classroom spaces for digital media, sports marketing and business programming. 
• Career exploration classrooms at Rockford HS: expanding hands-on learning through Robotics, Skilled Trades, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and Health Sciences. 
• Enhance students' experiences: renovating student-centered collaboration spaces. 
• Early childhood renovations: updating spaces to enhance programs for our youngest learners and to enhance safety. 
• Update educational technology.

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