The list of needed repairs at the Dewitt School District is adding up.

"We still need to replace two boilers, several roofs, side walks, roadways, parking lots, we need to add some ADA things to keep our facilities current," Superintendent Tina Templin said.

Not to mention a track that's unsafe for runners and tennis courts unfit for high school play.

"The track, we can't hold a competition because it has holes in it," Templin said. "We're denied competitions which means we're denied gate receipts."

The district believes it's found a way to generate money to pay for these vital repairs plus some much needed improvements, without raising taxes.

Sound confusing?

A second community meeting was scheduled for residents Wednesday to answer questions.

"I'm usually for a bond proposal, because I believe it's a worthy investment, but I have to see how they are going to do this," Dewitt Resident Arlene Brown said.

Superintendent Templin explains it this way.

This year the school board lowered the current millage which will save homeowners money starting next year.

"We'll be lowering the mills from 11.21 to 10 mills," Templin said. "For a homeowner that's 60/year that their taxes will be lowered."

On November 3rd, the district will ask voters to pass a bond. This is where it really gets confusing.

The end result would be to lower the millage rate even more -- to 1.08 mills -- for an extra nine years.

"For a homeowners of 100,000 dollar home, those last nine years would be an extra $18.64 a year," Templin said.

Residents we talked to seem to like what they hear.

"With the governor cutting more and more that money has to come from somewhere, and it's not going to increase our taxes," Dewitt teacher and resident Lisa Toth said. "It's an investment in our children."

Templin said if the bond fails then that $10 million will have to come from somewhere -- which could affect the classroom.

The Jackson School District is also asking voters for money.
It needs a $16.6 million bond for building repairs and updates. About $11 million of it would pay to replace roofs, classroom ventilation systems, and asbestos flooring.