Survey shows Brandon Township residents lean in favor of new school bond

The Brandon College Board has acquired the outcomes of a neighborhood investigation through which Suggestions is requested on a upcoming 2025 bond with out tax for the vote in November.

“We carried out a collection of focal panels after which we performed a neighborhood -wide survey,” stated Kelsey Birkmeier of Banach, Banach and Cassidy, who labored with the district on a neighborhood vary and bond planning. “The objectives for the strategies and the aim of this are to share the proposed bond initiatives which can be emphasised for the 2025 bond, acquire suggestions after which perceive neighborhood suggestions, priorities and questions.”

The survey was carried out from April 22 to Might 1.

Brandon voters rejected a proposal for the operational millage in November 2022. The vote was 3,216 sure to five,000 nr.

The proposal was to levy as much as 18 mills ($ 18 per $ 1,000 taxable worth) on all properties, aside from predominant reserves and different property, comparable to vacation houses.

The levy is presently 17.8 mills and the proposal is alleged to have closed that hole and the district allowed to gather an additional $ 20,628 yearly from 2023 to 2032.

Birkmeier stated that 61% of those that took the survey would most likely assist the bond, however 31% stay undecided, by 10% unlikely to assist assist. When contacted, the district didn’t reply to the variety of whole respondents of the survey.

“These individuals (the undecided) want extra info earlier than they’ll make a nicely -trained choice,” she stated. “So these are the steps now we have to take now’s to speak all these wants and desires them to establish by way of this report.”

The 4 most vital classes for initiatives are security and safety, services and infrastructure, instructional areas and know-how, and athletic and playgrounds for college and neighborhood use.

For services and infrastructure, the respondents gave the need to enhance services, specifically water high quality and sewer issues at Harvey Swanson Elementary.

For instructional areas and know-how, Birkmeier stated that there was additionally basic assist for these initiatives.

“There’s assist for up to date know-how and furnishings,” she stated. “There have been many complaints about damaged or non -discussing furnishings, so there’s undoubtedly a necessity to unravel that.”

The athletic and playgrounds attracted probably the most consideration.

“This was the most important level of dialog throughout your complete course of,” stated Birkmeier. “There’s a number of info that have to be supplied (by the district). They need a clearer plan and extra detailed images.”

The survey confirmed that residents had been most enthusiastic concerning the no-fax side of the band and the creation of extra trendy studying environments and the survey traitors additionally submitted ideas for initiatives that the district had executed sooner or later.

The board nonetheless has to shut the voting metal and the way a lot the tire can be.

Initially revealed: June 9, 2025 at 4.56 pm Edt