South Kent News

The Grandville Public Schools' Board of Education discussed its public millage during its Jan. 17 meeting.

A school operating millage is a mandated funding avenue that requires all school districts in the state to levy an 18-mil local property tax to make their minimum funding per pupil. It is a regular property tax for the school district and not an additional bond or referendum. 

The last time the Grandville district had their millage renewed by the voters was in 2013 for a 10-year period, meaning that its current millage will expire Dec. 31. Voters must renew the millage before that expiration.

“Just comparing total millage rankings, I'm pretty proud of this slide," said Heather Roszkowski, assistant superintendent. "We were the fourth lowest debt millage in Kent County and we are very lucky to have the support of the community that voted in an increase to build a new middle school. 

"And even with that increase, we're still the fourth lowest," she added. "I'm pretty proud, but overall, in Kent County, we have the fourth lowest total millage rank.”

The district also received a Headlee rollback in 2016, a local law preventing them from their full 18 mil when property rates in the area rise faster than inflation, meaning Grandville is capped at 16.8422 mil. The district can request more if the voters approve the measure. The district, however, can never collect more than 18 mil even if its override mil makes their total greater than 18. 

The only reason a district would take an override that makes their total above 18 is in case of another reduction. The Grandville district has not done an override to cancel out its reduction because it was receiving federal dollars and did not need the additional funds.

With the federal funding is gone, the district believes it is important to pass its new mil and educate the community as to why the board is asking for it and why the money is so vital to district operations.

The board's next steps include a recommendation from the business office to get voters approval of a 19-mil rate with a four-year term ending on Dec. 31, 2026. Even though it would be asking for 19 mil, the school cannot collect more than 18, this would allow it to weather any reductions or changes in the next few years. 

The board opted to go forward and hold some educational sessions for community members in the near future and vote on the matter at the next board meeting.