To the editor:

It just doesn’t make sense. The Houghton-Portage Township School (HPTS) District’s recently passed bond issue will primarily fund a new early child center for K-5 students that isn’t needed, yet the School Board wants to build a new 25,000 square foot facility to include 8 new class rooms, gymnasium along with other capital improvements at a cost of $23 million dollars.

With interest on the bonds, the total 30-year millage costs are estimated to be around $46 million. According to the Qualification of Bonds report the school submitted to the State, the K-5 grade enrollment will decrease by 43 students in the next 4 years. Total school enrollment decrease by 20 students from 2023-24 to 2024-25.

For 2024-25 forty-eight (48.2%) percent of students in the HPTS’s are school of choice students — students from other school districts. I’m all for school of choice, but the fact of the matter is school of choice hurts schools who lose students and benefits schools that gain students

What is unfair is the taxpayers of the HPTS District pay for all the bonded debt of the district while school of choice taxpayers pay none. In addition, the HPTS’s taxpayers also pay the bonded debt for HPTS students who attend other school districts — 198 students for 2024-25.

Last November’s voter approved millage for HPTS’s passed by 30 votes – 1820 to 1790. Since that time much more information has come out regarding the real taxpayer cost that will result from the approved millage. This increased tax will result in more taxes for home owners, commercial building owners and landlords in the City of Houghton and Portage Township.

The voters have spoken and the millage is approved. However, the bond ballot language and timely Board information lacked a lot of transparency.This very important issue needs to be revisited by the School Board and the HPTS taxpayers before proceeding any further. I suggest a committee of community reps and School representatives be formed to further discuss this entire issue and, that sale of the bonds and construction be deferred until all factors have been given more public consideration. For more detailed information regarding the school millage go to www.houghtoncitizens.com and www.hpts.us or contact/email your representative on the School Board with questions. Board emails are available on the school’s website. I believe the HPTS’s has discretion to modify or defer this project should they so see fit.

Bruce_Rukkila

Houghton