Fall sports are in full swing. Volleyball, football, and cross country. Please make sure to come out and see them compete when they are in town. The calendar of events is on the Tahquamenon Area Schools app and on our website at www.taschools.org under “Events”. Hope to see you there!
Please note that there is no parking in front of the school during arrival and dismissal. The buses are now unloading and loading by the main entrance. This is for the safety of all. Please use the back of the school during these times to pick up or drop off your student.
We are looking for substitutes for paraprofessionals, teachers, custodians, and kitchen. If interested, please contact Sarah Pleiman at (906) 293-3226 ext. 1133 to assist you with the process.
On November 5, 2024, the community will be asked to renew and restore the operating millage for Tahquamenon Area Schools. The continuation of this millage on non-homestead property accounts for about $3.93 million of the school district’s total general fund. The proposal renewal and restoration is to continue to levy an amount not to exceed 18 mills, which is required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance, which is currently $9,600 per student.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is this a new millage?
A: No. Tahquamenon voters have previously approved a levy for 18 mills on non-homestead property every year from the passage of Proposal A in 1994 to 2020. Beginning in 2020, the voters approved 18 mills for 5 years.
Q: Why is the school asking for a 4-year millage instead of asking the voters annually?
A: It costs TAS up to an estimated $10,000 for each annual election. Over four years, TAS has the potential of saving at least $40,000 in election costs. Having an election for every four years allows our proposal to be voted at the state and national elections, when costs are minimal.
Q: How many mills would be collected each year from 2026-2029?
A: 18 mills is the maximum annual operating millage for our school district.
Q: How will this affect homeowners?
A: This millage is a renewal and a restoration. What does that mean? Because of Headlee erosion, TAS has not been collecting 18 mills, but instead was only able to collect 17.8939 mills in 2024. Headlee erosion happens when property values rise higher than inflation. The restoration of 0.1061 would allow TAS to collect the full 18 mills so the district can receive its full per pupil foundation amount.
Q: What will the language look like on the ballot?
A: TAHQUAMENON AREA SCHOOLS OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL
This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and restores millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963.
Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Tahquamenon Area Schools, Luce, Schoolcraft, Mackinac and Chippewa Counties, Michigan, be renewed by 17.8939 mills ($17.8939 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, and also be increased by 0.1061 mill ($0.1061 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 4 years, 2026 to 2029, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2026 is approximately $3,930,000 (this is a renewal of millage that will expire with the 2025 levy and a restoration of millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963)?
For answers to other questions, please contact Superintendent Stacy Price at sprice@taschools.org or (906) 293-3201.
—Stacy Price
