Utica Community Schools Board of Education supports Proposal 1 roads ballot initiative

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education has unanimously adopted a resolution of support for the Proposal 1 roads initiative being considered by Michigan voters on May 5.

The Proposal 1 roads initiative was placed before voters by state lawmakers to provide additional resources for the improvement and maintenance of roads in Michigan.

“While the overall intent of the proposal is to address the need for road improvements, there are several elements that relate directly to Michigan’s educational system,” Board of Education President Dr. Carol Klenow said. “As elected community leaders who advocate for our youth, we support aspects of the proposal that protect key areas of school funding and the resources it provides education in Michigan.”

If approved, Proposal 1 will increase the state sales tax from six to seven percent to provide an estimated $1.2 billion annually to improve Michigan roads. The proposal also offsets revenue losses to schools and municipalities that would result from changes in the formula used to distribute fuel taxes.

In addition, passage would also impact education in several other areas by:

· Increasing statewide education funding by a projected $300 million annually.

· Creating a constitutional protection so all revenue in the School Aid Fund would be used to support K-12 schools and community colleges.

“Like our families, the UCS Board of Education has had to make very difficult financial decisions in recent years,” said Board of Education Treasurer Dr. Robert A. Ross. “There are still additional fiscal challenges that must be addressed to bring our costs in line with available resources. We support Proposal 1 in its efforts to address needed road improvements in Michigan in a way that protects schools.”

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 5. Specific precinct information and absentee ballots are available from local clerk offices.