Ewen Trout Creek Schools will ask voters to approve a $6.1 million bond May 5 to replace aging infrastructure without increasing current property taxes.
The district seeks to address 30-year-old facilities across its 600-square-mile coverage area. Planned improvements include replacing old carpeting, repaving the original parking lot and ensuring reliable district transportation.
Superintendent Tony Basanese said current carpeting poses safety and health concerns.
“The carpeting is just rippled, a trip hazard, dust and edges that are fraying,” Basanese said. “We experimented with one room in the elementary and we tore out the carpet and put it on epoxy type floor. Less dust, less, you know, more sanitary and it’s holding up well.”
If approved, the district would eliminate all carpet and install rubberized or epoxy-based flooring throughout buildings.
Residents currently pay 4.8 mills for existing bonds. The May 5 millage would replace a 1.5 mill bond ending in 2026. Keeping the district’s bond millage rate the same for another 12 years.
The district will host an open house Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for voters, parents and residents to learn more from staff including custodians, teachers and administration. Learn more about the Ewen-Trout Creek School District here.
