On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, voters will be asked to consider a bond proposal that would result in facility improvements across the district, the repurposing of the current pool facility into a multi-use space and the construction of a new community and competition pool at the high school site. Because this proposal would replace the current Building & Site Sinking Fund, there would not be any change to our residents’ current debt levy; this is a zero tax increase proposal.

Reimagining learning spaces to cultivate collaboration, creativity and innovation Future-focused projects preparing our students to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow Advancing education with cutting-edge technology and resources Partnering with local business leaders to develop an Innovation Center with relevant programming in trades and industry to prepare our students for career-ready employment and post-secondary education Enhance safety and security measures for our classrooms, buildings and campus Facility & infrastructure improvements with longevity in mind to maintain Otsego’s standard of excellence Renovating athletic facilities to create opportunities and positive experiences for our athletes, spectators and visitors Growing our district to best serve our entire bulldog community

Safety and Security Upgrades New Innovation Center at OHS Infrastructure Needs in All School Buildings Site Upgrades New Furniture in Instructional Spaces to foster collaboration, teamwork Technology Updates for instruction Learn ’n Grow Early Childhood Education Center Expansion Athletic Upgrades (new tennis court facility, baseball, softball field upgrades, stadium press box, lighting and scoreboard replacements) Middle School Auditorium Renovations

A strong school district helps to protect and improve property values The renovations and reimaging of our old pool site will be designed with the community in mind to offer spaces for local clubs, organizations and businesses for recreation or meeting sites. The community will enjoy improvements, additions and enhancements to our athletic facilities Our high school innovation center will be developed with local business leaders both for guidance to enhance future employment of our graduates and to help design and partner with OPS on its offerings. Community pride! The excellent condition and care of our facilities has always been a point of pride for our school community. Ensuring we update and maintain our facilities will be a benefit to all. Innovative and updated learning spaces in our schools are a draw for families to come to our community

TMP architecture, Triangle Associates and Ignyte Design conducted an extensive facility assessment as well as a program assessment, in partnership with school leadership teams. Those findings were prioritized and helped leaders develop a long-range maintenance and enhancement plan for our facilities, infrastructure and education programs.

The Otsego Public Schools debt millage rate will not increase and remain at 8.49 mills.

Many of our projects, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) upgrades, lighting replacements, new windows and new roofing will increase efficiency, in turn saving the district utility and operating costs.

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures. Bond funds can be used for: Safety and Security upgrades; Construction and remodeling of facilities; Purchase of technology equipment and infrastructure; Purchase of equipment and furniture; Site improvements. Bond funds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies and textbooks, general operating expenses, repairs or maintenance, and administrative costs. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and must be audited by an independent auditing firm.

The General Fund budget for the District is built for regular maintenance needs on our buildings along with salaries, operating expenses and small emergencies. Aging facilities need attention and maintenance which often come at a price far above what can be set aside through our General Fund revenue. The facility assessment identified several project needs that exceed the amount available yet need to be addressed. A bond extension provides the district with needed funds upfront.

While funding from this bond proposal is independent of the support the district receives from the State of Michigan for annual operations on a per pupil basis, the bond would likely have a positive impact on the operating budget. It would allow the district to reallocate operating funds that are currently spent on aging facilities, and heating, ventilation, cooling and LED lighting. In addition, the savings generated from new and cost-efficient facilities/improvements could be redirected to student programs and resources.

If approved, taxpayers will not see a change in their millage rates; there will be a -0- net mill increase.

Michigan law requires that expenditures of bond proceeds be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries or other operating expenses. An audit would be completed at the end of the project to ensure compliance. The district will also share progress of these projects through our communication channels, such as our website, social media and district newsletter.

No. The bonds are proposed to be issued in 3 series (2026, 2028, 2030).

The projects will be completed in three series over six years, from 2026-2031. (see table below)

If a business has been granted an Industrial Facilities Tax ("IFT") credit then only half of the taxable value is subject to the bond millage. The business would need to verify if some of the taxable value has been designated for the IFT credit. One item a community member could research is the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit. The Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit is a method through which some taxpayers can receive a credit for an amount of their property tax that exceeds a certain percentage of their household income. This program establishes categories under which homeowners or renters are eligible for a Homestead Property Tax Credit. We would recommend that community members consult their tax provider to determine if they are eligible for this tax credit.

Yes, businesses and second homes (non-homestead) and primary homes (homestead) are treated the same regarding bond millage.

Casting an absentee ballot: You can vote via absentee ballot starting March 27, 2025 through election day on May 6, 2025. Election day is May 6, 2025. Your polling location will be open for in-person voting from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. You may also drop off your absentee ballot until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day at your polling location. All ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day (May 6, 2025) in order to be counted. For more information, go to: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

If you are not certain what your voting precinct is, please go to https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index to check your voter status. To find your voter status/location/absentee ballot status, please visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index

OTSEGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL Shall Otsego Public Schools, Allegan, Kalamazoo and Van Buren Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Forty-Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($46,500,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefore, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to school buildings; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings, including for school security; acquiring and installing instructional technology; and equipping, preparing, developing, and improving athletic fields and facilities, playgrounds, and sites? The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025, under current law, is 0.81 mill ($0.81 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.32 mills ($3.32 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $731,299 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $6,663,044. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 15 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 8.49 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $40,570,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is approximately $23,851,556. (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)