Superintendent Editorial on May 7 Election - Dexter Community Schools

Election Editorial by Interim Superintendent Dennis Desmarais

On Tuesday, May 7, Dexter voters will have the opportunity to renew two specific millage proposals.

Neither proposal is a new tax. The Non-Homestead Operating Millage was approved by voters in 1994 and was last voted in successfully in 2003. The Headlee Override was passed by voters in 1999. Both millages expire in 2013.

Approval of the two ballot proposals would extend from 2014 to 2033 (20 years).

The tax generates 4.1 million annually, which is 13% of the Dexter school budget.

Failure to pass will result in district cuts of a like amount.

Neither millage is a tax on primary households. The second is a cushion that we will only use if the millage is eroded by the Headlee Amendment to the state constitution, which limits increases in taxes collected to the rate of inflation.

The 18-mill proposal allows the district to receive its full per-student state funding.

I encourage all Dexter residents to vote on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. I also ask that you consider the Non-Homestead and the Headlee Override both of which have gained voter approval in the past and will not increase or affect taxes for your primary residence.

In this time of challenging finances in public schools the passage of these two proposals insure no additional taxation to your primary residence and a 20 year commitment to Dexter Community Schools.