MCE to hold community forums to discuss facilities

MCE to hold community forums to discuss facilities

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

CUSTER — Mason County Eastern School District will hold two community forums to discuss the district’s facilities: Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6:45 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. Both forums will take place in the high school gymnasium.

Superintendent Paul Shoup said the forums will be an opportunity for school officials to update the public on recent improvements that have taken place at the school and also a time for the community to give feedback about current and future facility needs.

Mason County Eastern paid off its bond debt in 2019, which began when the district remodeled and added onto the elementary building in 2000. The school’s junior high/senior high complex was constructed in 1995, which included razing the old high school building and heavy remodel and additions to the more modern portions of the complex.

Shoup said MCE is one of the few districts in Michigan that has no bond debt. He said the school district does have a 1.25 mill sinking fund which is currently used for facilities. He said the board of education is exploring utilizing those funds to be used additionally for bus replacement and repairs. However, any changes to the sinking fund would require a referendum from the district voters. The district additionally levies 18 mills operating millage, paid by non homesteaded property taxes, which is required by state statute.

“We want to look at where we are going as a district and what needs have to addressed. One of those areas that we have to look at is the high school gymnasium floor,” Shoup said. “We want the taxpayers to give their input, however. These are their buildings.”

This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2023, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454.

fb.com/stars