By Andrea McBride
Staff Writer
CARO — An informational meeting Thursday night regarding Caro Community School’s bond proposal allowed community members to ask questions and offer suggestions.
People within the district will vote Feb. 24 on the bond representative of a 2.6 mill increase that would allow for $12.5 million in school improvements if passed.
Superintendent Mike Joslyn, Construction Manager Chip Hendrick, Architect Doug Kueffner and Community Chairperson Mark Ransford were on hand to provide answers.
One discussion involved further explanation of the potential middle school auditorium that will also be used as a cafeteria. The proposed setup conserves space and money, according to the panel.
Kueffner said the area will function like a standard auditorium with a stage and tiered cushioned seating. Some seating will be permanent, while some will be collapsible to allow for cafeteria use. He said the setup works because the cafeteria is only used for a short period of time each day.
“You can’t have an auditorium event going that’s completely full and use the cafeteria at the same time, but those are very rare instances.” Kueffner said.
Thirteen percent of the bond is technology-related, and Joslyn said replacing teacher computers, upgrading classrooms with data projectors, and several other upgrades will get the school district where it needs to be.
“We’re not utilizing technology to the utmost, and to me that’s causing our students to fall behind,” Joslyn said.
He said former superintendent Bruce Nelson focused on saving money.
“We’ve been in safe mode at Caro Schools. … I’m not in spend mode, but that’s what’s a big huge piece to me of this bond, is to get us back up to speed with everybody else and hopefully springboard a little bit ahead,” Joslyn said.
Asbestos was also discussed, as its removal was part of the 2005 bond but not all of it is gone.
“When you go through something like this, the goal is to completely eradicate it, and it hasn’t been,” Joslyn said.
Although the existing asbestos is not threatening, Joslyn said the bond would ensure that it is entirely removed, which will make the schools generally safer.
Each school district in Michigan is required by law to update a book every two years that details the location of asbestos in each building.
Ransford encouraged attendees to vote and find other supporters for the bond. He said if people are going to fund anything, it should be schools.
“Schools are silver bullets. Schools are the things that cure crime problems, they increase property values, they increase our retention rates among citizens, they increase overall happiness in the community, and the things people are looking for when they move to a community, are schools,” Ransford said.
For those not already registered to vote, the deadline to register and be eligible to vote for the bond proposal is Jan. 26. Voters will go to their normal precinct on Election Day.