Dear Families,

After the “Securing Our Future Sinking Fund” proposal was narrowly defeated in November, numerous parents and district stakeholders contacted the Board of Education and me to express disappointment that the proposal did not pass. Their feedback also included the need for a more substantial investment in security and a desire for enhanced instructional and extracurricular opportunities that were not included in the original proposal. Using this input, the Board of Education and district administration reviewed our 10-year capital needs plan and the desired safety improvements to develop a Capital Improvements and Building Security bond proposal. This proposal includes the capital improvement needs outlined in the sinking fund as well as items such as adding a secure entry vestibule to each building, upgrading all internal door locks to allow for an instant lockdown at the push of a button, redesigned learning spaces and Makerspaces in each building, and several athletic enhancements. The way this proposal has been structured, district taxpayers would not see an increase in the debt levy. In fact, if voters approve this bond proposal, our district debt levy will drop from 6.3 mills to 6.2 mills this summer.  To date, the Board of Education has approved the bond proposal language and application. The next step is for the Board of Education to call for an election, which they will take action on at the February board meeting. Once we have officially called for an election, we will be launching efforts to inform our community about this proposal.

Please remember that there is no school this coming Monday, January 21, as we honor the life, legacy, and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King dedicated his life to advocating for civil rights and improving life in America for all. As a calendar reminder, there will also be no school on Monday, February 18 as we honor Presidents’ Day.

It is hard to believe, but today officially marks the halfway point of the school year as we conclude the first semester/second quarter. Report cards will be available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal next Friday, January 25. Directions on how to access the PowerSchool Portal and report cards can be found at https://goo.gl/HciFpc.

On Friday, February 1, several of our middle school students will participate in the Second Annual Livingston County Middle School Honors Band. On Tuesday, February 5, our district will host a parent workshop titled Drugs 101, and Tuesday, March 5 is our annual Kindergarten and Begindergarten Registration event. I have shared more information on each of these events below.

Livingston County Middle School Honors Band

On Friday, February 1 we will host the Second Annual Livingston County Middle School Honors Band at the Howell High School Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. On this day, several of our middle school band students will work with students from middle schools around our county in sectionals and as a full band preparing for the Livingston County Middle School Honors Band Concert, which will be held that evening in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. Participating in the Livingston County Middle School Honors Band is a great learning opportunity and experience for our students.

Drugs 101: Parent Workshop Coming to Howell

Howell Public Schools has partnered with St. Joseph Mercy Health System to host a parent workshop titled Drugs 101 on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Howell High School Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. This is an informative and educational program for participants to learn about the signs, symptoms, and current trends of teen drugs with a focus on Vaping, Marijuana, Opioids, and Prescriptions. The event is free and open to all parents in Livingston County. To learn more, please visit https://goo.gl/vsTVgz.

Kindergarten and Begindergarten Registration is March 5

This year, our annual Kindergarten and Begindergarten Registration event will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at each of our elementary schools. During the registration event, parents and their children will be able to tour the school, meet the teachers and principals, and go for a short bus ride. More information about the registration event can be found online at https://goo.gl/trfZ9C.