Dear Families,

Homecoming Week is always a special time here in Highlander Nation. I love seeing the way our entire district joins in the celebration, from spirit days at our schools to walking in the parade and, of course, cheering on the Highlanders at the Homecoming game. Throughout the week, our students, staff, families, alumni, and community came together to celebrate the traditions and pride that make Howell such a special place. 

This week has also been one of remembrance. Twenty-five years ago today, our nation stood still as we watched in disbelief as the September 11 attacks unfolded. Each generation has moments that remain with them forever, and for so many Americans, 9/11 is one of those moments. Each year on Patriot Day, we remember the thousands of lives lost, honor the brave heroes who rushed to help others, and reflect on a defining moment in our country’s history. We cannot reflect on that solemn day without also remembering the days that followed, when our country united as one to show our strength, determination, and compassion. Across the nation, neighbors supported one another, communities came together, and people offered kindness and grace as we processed the shock, grief, and anger. Today’s students were not yet born on September 11, 2001, and as the years pass, fewer Americans will have firsthand memories of that day. That makes it even more important to keep sharing its history and the stories of courage, sacrifice, and unity that emerged from it. As we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, I hope we will honor those we lost not only by remembering that day, but also by carrying forward the compassion, courage, and sense of community that brought our nation together in the days that followed.

The week truly showcased what it means to be One Howell.

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• Community Center Name Suggestions

• Great Start Livingston Parent Workshop

• Team KARMA to host STEM Night

• Non-Homestead Millage Renewal and Restoration

As our vision for the new community center funded by the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond moves closer to becoming a reality, the time has come to determine a name for the building. Up to this point, we have simply referred to it as the community center project, but a facility as special as the one we are creating deserves a truly special name. A name that reflects our rich history, looks toward our future, and embodies the spirit of a place where our students, families, staff, and community can come together. With groundbreaking planned for this fall, we are excited to begin accepting name suggestions. Between now and October 23, we invite students, staff, families, and community members to visit https://bit.ly/4r9yilF to submit their ideas for the center’s name. Following the submission deadline, the Board of Education and district administration will develop a shortlist of names and invite the community to provide feedback on the finalists. A final decision by the Board of Education is expected in January 2027.

Great Start Livingston and the Livingston Educational Service Agency are bringing back their free parent workshops for families with children ages 0–5. The first event will be held on Tuesday, September 15, and will focus on The Neuroscience of Reading and Resilience, exploring the connection between neuroscience, resilience, behavior, and literacy while sharing practical information to support young children’s development. The event will be held at the Livingston Educational Service Agency, with dinner and childcare beginning at 5 p.m. and the workshop running from 5:30–7 p.m. Registration includes dinner, limited childcare, gas cards, and a children’s book for families to add to their home libraries.  To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4cFnhT3. 

Team KARMA, one of our middle school robotics teams, is hosting STEM Parents Night Out on Friday, September 25, from 6–8 p.m. in the Parker Middle School Commons. Open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, the event will give students a chance to see Team KARMA’s robot in action and learn what students can create through our middle school robotics program. Participants will also enjoy hands-on STEM activities that they can take home. This is a drop-off event, and the cost is $20 for the first child and $15 for each additional child, with proceeds supporting Team KARMA. Registration is required by September 18. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3T268w6.

Absentee ballots for the November 3 general election will be available beginning Thursday, September 24. Howell Public Schools will have two proposals related to the district’s non-homestead operating millage on the ballot. The first is a renewal proposal, which will ask voters to consider renewing the district’s existing authorization. The second is a restoration proposal, which will ask voters to consider restoring 0.6084 mills of authorization that has been reduced over time by Headlee Amendment rollbacks. If approved, neither proposal would increase the millage rate paid by businesses or other non-homestead properties. The renewal would reauthorize the district to continue levying the 18 mills that have been part of Michigan’s school funding system since the passage of Proposal A in 1994, while the restoration would provide a cushion against future Headlee rollbacks so the district can continue levying the full 18 mills without returning to voters for another restoration. Michigan law limits the district to levying no more than 18 mills for operating purposes. Neither proposal is a tax on owner-occupied primary residences. Michigan’s school funding system requires the district to levy the 18-mill non-homestead operating millage to receive its full per-pupil funding established by the state. To learn more about both proposals, please visit HowellSchools.com/Renewal.

I hope you have a great weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools