• Carman-Ainsworth Staff, Students, Families and Community,

    As we wrap up the third week of the 2023-2024 school year, I am grateful to see students, staff, and families settling into their learning routines and this beautiful fall weather has been a welcome addition.

    Not only are we busy in the classrooms, but we are also working hard on maintaining our facilities. As we plan for facility maintenance, we are faced with the reality that the district has reached the point where it is more challenging to maintain our facilities with the current reduced funding structure.

    What we mean by this is that the district’s operating millage has been reduced because of the Headlee Rollback; a “Headlee Rollback” usually occurs when non-homestead property tax values increase more than the rate of inflation. As a result, the millage rate is “rolled back” i.e., reduced--the millage is currently at 17.6510, reduced from 18 mills. As a result of this reduction, the district has lost approximately $750,000 in revenue over the past six years.

    Because of this, our Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing a proposal that will appear on the November 7, 2023, ballot as the Headlee Override Proposition. A “Headlee Override” is a vote by the electors to return the millage to the amount originally authorized and is necessary to offset the effects of the “Headlee Rollback.” This vote is NOT for an increase, but a return to the original rate authorized by voters. This proposal only affects non-homestead property, not primary residences.

    The proposal is asking for a Headlee Override Operating Millage of 2.3490 (17.6510 current rate + 2.3490 proposed amount = 20 mills). The additional 2 mills will allow for future Headlee Rollbacks. Statutorily the district is only authorized to levy a maximum of 18 mills.

    The district will be hosting four (4) days of public information sessions for the Carman-Ainsworth community to ensure that everyone is properly informed about what this millage request is, how educational services are impacted, and why the district is asking for this.

    EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS:

    • Thursday, September 28 at 6 PM @ Carman-Ainsworth High School, 1300 N. Linden Road, Flint, MI
    • Monday, October 16 at 10 AM @ Carman-Ainsworth Administration Building, G-3475 W. Court Street, Flint, MI
    • Thursday, October 26 at 6 PM @ Carman-Ainsworth Middle School, 1409 W. Maple Avenue, Flint, MI
    • Wednesday, November 1 at 1 PM and 6 PM @ Carman-Ainsworth Administration Building, G-3475 W. Court Street, Flint, MI

    Thank you for taking the time to read this information. We will be sharing more information in the coming weeks, and you can always check our district website, www.carman.k2.mi.us, for election updates. We look forward to seeing you at one of the information sessions and welcome your feedback and questions.

    Cathy McGilvery, Superintendent of Schools