Center Line, Warren

Center Line Schools awaits bond issue vote Feb. 28

By Maria Allard
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Illustration provided This rendering gives Center Line Public Schools voters an idea how the updated Crothers Elementary might look should the bond initiative pass Feb. 28. School officials stress the image is not the final construction, but merely an idea. Illustration provided This rendering gives Center Line Public Schools voters an idea how the updated Crothers Elementary might look should the bond initiative pass Feb. 28. School officials stress the image is not the final construction, but merely an idea.

WARREN/CENTER LINE — Center Line Public Schools residents will again hit the polls Feb. 28 to vote on two bond proposals that, if passed, will raise taxes to update school buildings and technology throughout the district.

Taxpayers are asked to vote on two initiatives: Proposal No. 1 for 4.14 mills, and Proposal No. 2 for .43 mill.

Proposal No. 1 would bring in $39.9 million and encompasses the following renovations: the demolition of the Early Childhood Center, and Roose, Peck and Miller elementary schools; the construction of a new elementary school building on the ECC site; a total renovation of Crothers Elementary School with an expansion; secure entrances at Wolfe Middle School and Center Line High School; some lighting and ceiling enhancements; and an updated technological infrastructure throughout the district. The goal is to house the ECC at Crothers should Proposal No.1 pass.

Proposal No. 2 would generate $3.8 million and relates to athletics. Should it pass, tax dollars will be used to build a new community stadium behind CLHS; remodel the high school pool; remodel the gymnasium at WMS; and renovate the boys’ locker room at Wolfe. The new stadium will feature new bleachers, a new track and a concessions area.

According to an election brochure, “In Center Line and Warren, homeowner costs will average $13 to $14 monthly and $156 to $171 annually” should the proposals pass.

CLPS Superintendent Eve Kaltz said Proposal No.1 must pass in order for Proposal No. 2 to pass. Proposal No.1 can pass without the passing of Proposal No. 2. The ballot language will specify those details. Kaltz remains optimistic Tuesday’s election will have a positive outcome for CLPS.

“This area has always been very supportive of the schools,” she said. “Parents have been proactive in asking questions. They’re interested to understand what we’re asking for and why. Principals and community members have tried to provide a lot of information about the two proposals in the bond. I am very excited about it. This community is so supportive of children and the school system.”

At a school board meeting Feb. 13, active parent and CLHS hall monitor Robert Goodfellow urged community members to support the bond.

“This was a great night,” he said about the evening that included news regarding student achievement, school board recognition and the approval of new CLHS varsity football coach Jim Carlisle. “It was about our students, staff and administrators. We can be better.

“I’d like to say to our Center Line parents and our Warren parents, this is the time now to go out and support this bond. Please do not tell your children you’re not going to support them,” Goodfellow said. “It’s about the kids. They need it to pass. Let’s get the future in Center Line going again.”

This is the second time in the past year school officials have gone out for a bond. A $45 million bond proposal — with many of the same projects as in the two new proposals — failed at the polls Aug. 2 with 52.9 of the voters turning it down and 47.1 percent of voters in favor of the enhancements.

After the summer election, school officials held public forums to determine why the proposal was defeated and what steps could be taken to move forward with another bond proposal. The initiative was then broken down into two proposals, and it would generate about $1 million less than the initiative defeated last summer.

The proposals are 30-year bonds. E. Gilbert and Son out of Macomb County is the construction manager of the bond, and Partners in Architecture PLC in Mount Clemens is the architectural company for the proposed bond projects.

CLPS residents can log on to the district’s website at www.clps.org to figure out exactly how much the bond proposal would cost them. When on the website’s main page, residents can click on the “Feb. 28, 2012, bond information” link. Under the “index of bond topics” heading, residents can click on the personal tax calculator. The link will ask for several pieces of information, including the taxable value of the homeowner’s home and the household income.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1045.