MIdweek UPdate

If you live in and vote in Whitmore Lake, take a minute to consider our Sinking Fund proposal on the November 5 ballot. You can find more information HERE.

I’ve done a few Zoom Q and A meetings that provide brief overviews of our Sinking Fund proposal. You can check out the recordings at the links below.

Sinking Fund Overview

What is on the ballot?

Meanwhile, if you want a fresh take on our facility issues, I borrowed some slang from Gen Alpha for our most recent video.

Below are my top 3 favorite questions I’ve received about the Sinking Fund over the last few months in case you find yourself asking the same ones.

1. Why is it called a Sinking Fund?

1. The State of Michigan coined the term “sinking fund” to differentiate it from a bond.

2. A sinking fund is an annual tax for a set amount of years. The money gets drawn down as you spend it…or, it sinks.

3. A bond, alternatively, is a state-approved loan with interest payments used for large-scale building projects.

2. When will you stop asking for money to fix things?

1. If the sinking fund passes, it creates a 10-year bridge to allow our current debt on previous construction to be paid off.

2. The BOE has heard from the public that it does not want big projects and the taxes associated with them. So, there is no plan to add new taxes should this sinking fund be approved.

3. What happens if it doesn’t pass?

1. This sinking fund request is to address targeted, need-based projects.

2. The projects need to be done, regardless of the passage or failure.

3. Budgets earmarked for classroom instruction will be used to take care of the needs. This could negatively impact our ability to maintain and/or expand current educational programming and staffing. Essentially, the money needs to come from somewhere.

This ballot is loaded with national, state, regional, and local issues. Unfortunately, the local issues are always at the end. Start voting by turning over the ballot and working backward to the front. That is my recommendation as it prevents what I call ‘ballot fatigue’. In the end, all WLPS is asking is that you do, in fact, vote. How you do so is your choice, and we respect that.

Between the bond and the Sinking Fund, I’ve been sharing a lot of information about our budget and facilities. I promise academic achievement is still at the core of what we do, day in, and day out. That was demonstrated at last week’s Board of Education meeting when our Assessment, Testing and Learning Enrichment Coordinator, Jennifer Petzke, presented WLPS’ 2024 M-STEP and Advanced Placement test data.

Overall, WLPS students are showing strong improvement on the M-STEP consistently scoring on par or above state averages. For those unfamiliar with it, the M-STEP is designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards in math, science, social studies and English-language arts.

At the high school level, we examine Advanced Placement (AP) test results. The AP program aims to expose high school students to college-level coursework to ease the academic transition from high school to college. The classes end with an exam where students can earn college credit.

Last year WLHS students had the opportunity to take seven AP courses and exams. 85% of the total number of students who took the exams earned a score high enough to earn college credit. The following WLHS students and graduates were identified as 2024 AP Scholars, recognized for demonstrating outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams. Join me in congratulating the following students: