2024 Sinking Fund Millage Proposal

Dear Lincoln Community,

I hope you’re keeping cool and enjoying summer break!

For a century, Lincoln Consolidated Schools has been the educational center of our community, expanding from a single school building to a campus with multiple school buildings and athletic facilities. The average age of our school buildings is over 50 years, with our newest school building opening nearly 20 years ago. Across the district, our infrastructure is aging with needed repairs and replacement becoming critical. Currently, the costs will be funded from the general budget, which impacts the amount of available funds for classrooms.

At the June 24th meeting, the Lincoln Board of Education approved placing a 2-mill, 10-year sinking fund proposal on the ballot for the upcoming November 5 election. A sinking fund is levied on all property located in a school district and would generate $2,616,487 per year for 10 years for district improvements. This proposal represents an opportunity for our district to enhance our educational facilities and help ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for all our students.

A sinking fund is a dedicated fund used exclusively for the repairs and improvements to school buildings and grounds, instructional technology and transportation purchase and maintenance. Unlike general operating funds, which cover day-to-day expenses such as salaries and supplies, a sinking fund is specifically earmarked for capital improvements. Here are some of the key benefits that adding a sinking fund will bring to our district:

1. Facility Improvements: The sinking fund would allow us to address critical infrastructure needs, including roof repairs, HVAC system upgrades, and necessary renovations to ensure our buildings are safe and efficient.

2. Safety Enhancements: Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is paramount. The sinking fund would provide the resources needed to enhance safety and security measures across our campus.

3. Modern Learning Environments: To prepare our students for the future, it is essential that we provide modern and technologically advanced learning environments. The sinking fund would support the purchase of instructional technology. It would also support the upgrade of classrooms, labs, and other learning spaces to meet the demands of a 21st-century education.

4. Long-Term Financial Stability: By dedicating funds specifically for capital improvements, we could avoid the need to divert resources from our general operating budget. This would ensure that our funds for instructional programs and student services remain intact.

We understand that any request for additional funding must be carefully considered. The Board of Education and district administration are committed to transparency and accountability in the use of these funds. If the sinking fund is approved, detailed plans and regular updates would be provided to ensure that the community is well-informed about the progress and impact of the sinking fund. 

To keep our community well-informed, upcoming messages and meetings will be scheduled closer to the election. Please watch for more details and opportunities to engage and learn about the proposal. We encourage all community members to stay informed and participate in the upcoming election.

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Robert Jansen
Superintendent