The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Public forums set for school bond decision
By Sean Dalton, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 13, 2008
In an effort to better educate voters in the Dexter Community School District on the upcoming May 6 bond election, a page dedicated to the bond was added to the district's Web site:www.dexterbond2008.com.
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A series of public forums are also slated for various buildings and times through the district leading up to the decision on the $47.8 million proposal.
The first is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. March 25 in the Creekside Intermediate School cafeteria. A second public forum will happen on April 10 at the same time and location.
"We really want to answer people's questions and be transparent," said Assistant Superintendent Mary Marshall.
"We really feel that there is a need and we wouldn't go forward if we didn't. It's important to inform people."
District officials encourage the public to send questions through the site's e-mail link to Superintendent Evelynn Shirk.
"A good place for people to start would be the 20-minute video we have on the site, which has a PowerPoint explaining the different components of the bond," Marshall said.
The video also presents pictures of visible repairs that the district's buildings need, she said.
If Marshall had one message to deliver, it would be what the bond means in terms of residents' tax bills.
"I think there is some circumstances about this bond, for instance, that it extends the debt levy and I think there are community members who think we're saying that it's not a new tax," Marshall said. "It's not that it is not a new tax. It doesn't increase the levy.
"If I draw a straight line, that is how much tax you're going to pay ... (if) I drew a line declining (it would) show what people would pay if it doesn't pass."
The levy would extend for five more years if the bond passes.
Marshall said that one of the difficulties in explaining the need for the bond is not coming across in a threatening manner.
"I don't want (that), but the truth is there are some things operationally that we're going to have to do in the district and without the bond, we're going to need to find money in the general fund to do those things," she said.
The Web site will be updated periodically with new information as it becomes available, although Marshall and Shirk want people to come to the forums, rather than rely only on the site.
A series of parent meetings are also scheduled:
l7 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the Mill Creek cafeteria
l6 p.m. Wednesday in the Dexter High School media center
l9 a.m. and 6 p.m. March 24 in the Wylie Elementary project room
l8 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 25 in the Creekside conference room
l8 a.m. March 27 in the Center for Performing Arts
l9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 27 in the Cornerstone cafeteria.
l7 p.m. April 15 in the Bates Elementary gym
l9 p.m. April 17 in the Bates Elementary cafeteria.
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