Dear Editor,

The upcoming operating referendum of the Belleville School District is a commitment to our schools. But even more so, it is an investment in our community.

As a lifelong resident of Belleville, who grew up here, attended schools here, and raised our children here, I have seen how important our schools are to our community. The lifeblood of any small community like ours is its school system. It attracts families to our community. As we have seen with the additional new home development, the strength of our schools has been an attraction to these new community members. More people in the community will attract more business and more jobs to our community as well.

Why is this needed? Revenue limits imposed at the state level have caused school districts all across our state to go to operating referendums to increase revenues to maintain and improve the quality of education in schools. In fact, 82% of school districts have gone to referendum to address these limits. This is the first time Belleville has needed to go to an operating referendum. The School District of Belleville has managed resources effectively, and even with this additional revenue, our mill rate for the school portion of our taxes will decrease.

We have always been proud of our schools in Belleville. Let’s continue to invest in the schools for our kids and everyone who lives in our community.

Join me on November 8th in voting YES to the Operating Referendum for Belleville Schools.

Tim Stadelman,

Belleville