Voter support for Clio Area Schools is paying dividends across the community. Since approval of the bond in 2020, our Elementary School has been expanded and renovated so that today students are attending a modern, safe, and state-of-the-art school which is the envy of many surrounding districts.Work is currently being completed on the Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools as well that will soon bring those buildings up to those same high standards and help us prepare our students for their future in the 21st Century.
Sadly, however, one of our school facilities does not meet those high standards we have created across the rest of the district. Moreover, this facility impacts the youngest of our learners in their most formative years.
The fact is that Clio Early Elementary and Preschool is in need of serious repairs, renovations, and improvements. As the state is rightfully putting more and more emphasis on early education, our aging facility is becoming less and less adequate to house, educate and keep safe those who are taking their first steps here at Clio Area Schools.
To that end, the Board of Education is opting to take advantage of the current economic situation by seeking a Zero-Mill Bond which would generate $8.7-million to upgrade Clio Early Elementary and other needed improvements in the district without increasing the tax rate.
Like you, the first thing most people ask is, “How is that possible?”
The answer lies in a unique combination of factors that make this the right time to seek the bond.
First, because of the quality of our schools and support shown by the community, a number of new businesses have chosen to locate in Clio, such as Aldi’s and the new Shaq’s Big Chicken just to name a couple. These new businesses will be paying taxes to help fund the new bond.
Moreover, the real estate market is booming in the Clio area with people anxious to relocate here. Again, among the top reasons is the quality of our schools made possible by support from our voters and the community as a whole. Those new residents will also be paying taxes to fund the new bond.
Those two factors combine to increase property values across the district thereby generating more revenue for the district without an increase in the millage rate.
Together, this combination of factors means taxpayers will pay the same 3.75 mills they are currently paying and the district will have an additional $8.7-million to make the Early Elementary improvements as well and major upgrades to the High School Auditorium and restrooms across the district that were not part of the 2020 bond projects.
The bottom line with this Zero-Mill Bond: Homeowners and businesses pay the same 3.75 mills as they currently pay and the district will receive $8.7-million more for these necessary improvements.
The school district will maintain updated information on current bond projects and plans for use of the Zero-Mill Bond on our website: www.clioschools.org and on our social media channels. You are also encouraged to contact members of our administrative staff with questions.