Citizens Make Their Pitch

Supporters of the Troy City School's November levy present to City Council

The recent Troy City Council meeting was highlighted by a presentation from Citizens for Troy Schools, a grassroots committee formed to secure voter approval for an upcoming November referendum. This referendum seeks to pass a combined 6.96 mill permanent improvement and bond levy, and Ben Poeppelman, the campaign's co-chair, delivered an impactful presentation outlining the critical importance of this levy. Poeppelman's positive and passionate delivery aimed to provide clarity and factual information about the proposed plan, its impact, and the urgency it carries.

To kick off the presentation, Poeppelman emphasized his strong connection to Troy, having resided here with his family for 17 years. His dedication to the community was palpable as he recounted how the exceptional school system was a major factor in choosing Troy as his family's home. He shared a revealing experience at a parent-teacher meeting in Concord, where he was shocked by the deplorable conditions of the school. This moment ignited his advocacy for change and spurred him to improve educational facilities for all Troy's children.

Poeppelman then detailed the formation of the committee, underscoring its community-driven nature. Its members, including himself, are committed individuals who have made significant sacrifices to ensure a better future for Troy's students, pursuing their mission with unwavering purpose and determination.

The core of the presentation revolved around the proposed plan, a 6.96 mill combined levy split into two parts: 4.66 mills for 37 years for new school construction and 2.3 mills over 29 years, with half a mill allocated for new facility maintenance and the rest for high school infrastructure improvements.

Poeppelman stressed the necessity of major infrastructure updates, encompassing electrical, HVAC, and energy-efficient lighting at the high school. He emphasized that these upgrades are essential for the school's relevance and functionality for the next 30 years, and passing the measure would preclude the need for additional bonded dollars in the future.

In a bid to dispel potential misinformation, Poeppelman highlighted the campaign's commitment to transparency, trust, and facts. He presented key facts, such as the significantly higher average age of Troy's elementary schools compared to the national average (Troy’s buildings averaging 81 years versus the national average of 42 years), underscoring the need for updated facilities.

The presentation then delved into the scope of work, which involves constructing four new elementary schools and implementing significant infrastructure updates at the high school. Poeppelman made it clear that existing school sites would either be abated, demolished, or repurposed, with the aim of returning some sites to green space.

Addressing concerns about potential job losses due to consolidation, Poeppelman assured the audience that the number of teachers would remain unchanged, with reductions in support staff positions occurring through attrition and retirement rather than layoffs.

Poeppelman also discussed the financial aspects, highlighting the guaranteed state funding of $45.6 million and emphasizing the urgency of passing the levy within the next two voting cycles to secure this crucial state funding.

To allay concerns about tax increases, Poeppelman clarified that homeowners would pay just $20.30 per hundred thousand dollars in home value, making the investment in the school system relatively affordable. It should be widely acknowledged that it's never an ideal time to ask voters to increase their tax burden – a $20 month expense can be a real sacrifice for families – but the committee and the school district deserves credit for putting forward a very modest request, especially when considering the tangible value it would create for the community.

Throughout the presentation, it was evident that the citizens' committee and the school system collaborated closely to craft a building plan that met the district's current and future needs while taking the public's concerns into account. This plan seeks to maintain neighborhood-based schools for the youngest elementary students and is notably modest compared to other building requests in nearby districts.

In conclusion, the committee made a compelling case for community support of the school levy. Poeppelman reminded the audience that strong schools are the foundation of a strong community and that this plan optimizes their hard-earned money by leveraging state funds. He emphasized student safety and the overarching goal of delivering an equitable, high-quality education. The presentation concluded with a call to action, urging community members to get involved, contribute financially, donate their time, and, most importantly, vote "Yes" for the school levy.

In summary, the presentation exuded passion and dedication to improving Troy's educational system. Poeppelman's well-structured and informative delivery left the audience with a clear understanding of the issues at hand and the urgency of supporting the school levy. It serves as a rallying cry for the entire community to come together and invest in a brighter future for Troy's students.

To learn more about this campaign, visit: www.citizensfortroyschools.com

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