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Ubly Community Schools is looking to borrow a sum not to exceed $2,020,000 and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds in order to partially remodel, furnish and refurnish, equip and reequip the school building; acquire, install and equip educational technology for the school building; purchase school buses; partially remodel and equip the bus garage, improve and equip the athletic playing fields; and develop and improve the sites.

More specifically, the scheduled renovations will include roof repairs, fascia and masonry restoration, replacing electrical panels in 1936 building, replacing fabric insulated wiring in 1936 building, entry door upgrades and a barrier free entrance at the gym entrance. Other planned renovations include boiler replacements, locker room upgrades for both the boys and girls, window replacement in the 1936 and 1967 buildings, interior lighting upgrades, complete security system, upgrading the elementary floor tiles, interior lock upgrades and replacing the heating unit in the bus garage.

As for site improvements, plans include replacing the backstop on baseball fields, updating the staff parking lot, upgrading the parking lot light poles and replacing the flag pole. Technology improvements would include purchasing video projectors and document cameras, upgrading Mac and PC labs, replacing office servers and purchasing Digital GPS cameras for buses. The school also anticipates acquiring four to five new school buses.

These potential improvements came about as the result of suggestions made in December 2006 by the Strategic Planning Committee, made up of parents, citizens, Board of Education members and staff. In a presentation they made to the board, the SPC recommended strengthening both the operations and educational programming of the school district. "Ubly Community Schools should continue to maintain facilities that will meet the immediate and future needs of the students, staff and the community," they said at the time.

It is believed that the benefits to the students and the community would include: promoting a positive community image, a strong educational program promotes economic growth and attracts more residents to our school district, strong schools promote strong property values, improved learning opportunities for all students and improved facilities for all students.

According to information provided by the school, the estimated millage that would be levied for the proposed bonds in 2008 is 1.17 mills ($1.17 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

What does that mean for "Joe Taxpayer?" An owner of a home with a $30,000 (taxable value) would pay $35 per year, 67 cents per week or less than 10 cents per day. For a $50,000 home, the cost would be $59 per year or $1.14 per week, while a $100,000 home would cost the owner $117 per year, $2.25 per week or about 32 cents per day.

The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding exclusive of any refunding, will not exceed 15 years and the estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.05 mills ($1.05 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 5 and every registered voter, whether a property owner or not, is eligible to vote.