GPPSS sinking fund millage passes

THE GROSSE POINTES — Voters across the Pointes and the section of Harper Woods in the Grosse Pointe Public School System approved the district’s request for a new sinking fund millage by a 66 percent margin in Tuesday’s election.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the citizens who cast their vote during this election,” Superintendent Andrea Tuttle said in a statement. “This successful passage of the 2024 sinking fund is a positive step forward for our students.”

The millage is 3 mills per year for 10 years, beginning with the winter tax collection in 2025. The current five-year, 1 mill levy expires with this year’s winter tax collection.

A mill is $1 in taxes on every $1,000 on a property’s taxable value. In real-world numbers, the tax implication is such: A home with a market value of $300,000 has a taxable value of $150,000; that equates to $150 in taxes per mill, or $450 per year. At $500,000 market value, taxes would be $750 a year and at $1 million, taxes amount to $1,500 a year.

The district expects the millage to bring in about $11 million a year. Sinking fund dollars are used to pay for improvements to buildings, technology and security measures. The money cannot be used for things such as wages and benefits, extracurricular activities, desks or books, which are funded by the district’s operating millage — which passed with 72 percent of the vote in August — and per-pupil state aid.

The measure received its highest support in the City of Grosse Pointe, with 68 percent of voters in favor. It narrowly passed in Grosse Pointe Shores, with 51 percent of the vote, 883 to 858. The Shores also was the only city to vote down the senior services millage.

GPPSS had 67 percent support in Grosse Pointe Park and Grosse Pointe Farms, 65 percent in Harper Woods and 64 percent in Grosse Pointe Woods.

A study by consultants at Plante Moran two years ago determined the district had $252 million in maintenance needs over the next decade, including $150 million that deserved attention within three years.

The district plans to spend around $36 million on technology and security upgrades. Other top priorities include $12.8 million for roofing, $12 million on entrances, doors and windows and $8.2 million on masonry restoration.
“In the coming months, there will be more information provided to the community on our ongoing efforts, allowing clear transparency between the district and community members,” Tuttle said. “Your continued commitment to our school district and students is appreciated and valued as we all work together to prepare our students for success.”

GPPSS Board of Education President Sean Cotton, who owns the Grosse Pointe News, said he is “thrilled” the sinking fund passed, as it “ensures we can keep all of our school buildings open and fully operational. This also creates the possibility of reopening Trombly. I sincerely hope the new board remains committed to prioritizing the defined list of projects that our community voted on.”