August 25, 2026
Dear Kingston Families and Staff,
Thank you for a great first day of the school year! It has been awesome seeing our hallways full of students and staff and we look forward to a great year. There is more transition going on than normal to start a school year and despite that the year has started off in an outstanding way.
A few weeks ago, Kingston Community Schools hired Mrs. Heather Selich to be our Kingston Elementary School Principal for this school year. Mrs. Selich is a recently retired school administrator and we are excited for her to add leadership and stability to our school.
In our Jr./Sr. High School building, Mrs. Coleman has announced she is taking a position in a school district closer to her home. We are happy to have her to start the school year with us, and she will be here through September 4. Our plan is to post the position and have a full time Principal hired to begin January 1, 2027. During the period of Mrs. Coleman’s departure and our hiring of a new Principal, I will assist and serve in Principal duties through September. From October through December, we will have an Interim Principal who is a recently retired Principal from a nearby district. We will announce that person at a later date as we are currently completing contract details with that person.
Again, thank you all for your part in a great first day of school! It takes each of us to positively do our best in making school the best environment for our students.
Educationally Yours,
Jeffrey J Yorke
Jeffrey J. Yorke, Superintendent
Kingston Community Schools
Kingston Community Schools is looking for substitute custodians. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mr. Clark at phone number 989-683-2550, extension 34311.
KHS Orientation Correction
August 12th
7th grade - 5:00pm
9th grade-6:00p m
JH Volleyball will begin August 17th-19th 3:00-6:00pm at the elementary school. 7th grade will practice from 3:00-4:30pm and 8th grade will follow from 4:30- 6:00pm. Any questions can be sent to Coach Skinner.
The Kingston Athletic Boosters are looking for volunteers to run the concession stand at home games. They also welcome anyone interested in attending their meetings held on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:00pm in the high school computer lab. Support all Kingston athletic programs and sign up for your shift at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0445A5AA28ABFDC34-64558444-concessions#/
Reminder: Mandatory cross country parent/guardian meeting tonight at the KHS football field. JH/Varsity at 6:30pm, K-5 at 7:00pm.
As you know, tomorrow Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Kingston Community Schools will have on
the ballot the proposal to RENEW the Non-Homestead Tax Operating Millage. By law, each
Michigan Public School District must pass up to an 18 mill non-homestead tax in order to
receive full school funding from the State of Michigan.
Funding for school districts changed significantly in 1994 when Michigan voters passed Proposal A. Under Proposal A, the State guarantees our foundation allowance, and in the
Kingston Community School District that adds up to just a little over $600,000 per year and
comes from the millage on non-homestead property.
Non-homestead property represents industrial, commercial, some agricultural property and
“second homes.” It does not include a family’s primary residence.
If passed, this will allow the School District to continue to levy the operating millage and to restore any mills lost by the erosion of taxes due to the increase in the SEV. And, again, there will be no impact on primary residential property.
Educationally Yours,
Jeffrey Yorke, Superintendent
Jeffrey J. Yorke
Kingston Community Schools
For any students interested in Cross Country, there will be a mandatory parent/guardian meeting on August 3rd at the KHS football field. JH/Varsity (6th -12th grade) will take place at 6:30pm, K-5 will follow at 7:00pm. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mrs. Freeland at mfreeland@kingstonk12.org.
In order for Michigan school districts to receive their full per pupil foundation allowance from the
State of Michigan for operation expenses, districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead properties, not primary residences. On the August 4th ballot, voters in the Kingston Community Schools have the opportunity to allow our District to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills of non-homestead millage on all business,commercial, and rental property. The tax does not apply to owner-occupied primary residences. By state law, the District cannot levy more than 18 mills.
This millage is absolutely essential for the Kingston Community School District and every district to meet the needs of its students, and it has no impact on the parent and homeowner’s tax liability, but without this non-homestead tax our students do suffer.
Without these funds, it limits our District’s ability to provide the educational services and programs that our students need to thrive. The Operating Millage pays for everyday operating expenses such as custodial and maintenance costs, educational resources, technology, textbooks, transportation and even the salaries and benefits of our employees.
Voters sometimes express confusion about whether they would be impacted by the non-homestead tax. Other individuals are just simply opposed to the tax; however it is important to understand that this tax is basically on property that people make money off of businesses, corporations, rental property and the second homes of those people who do not reside in our District.
Educationally Yours,
Jeffrey J. Yorke
Jeffrey Yorke, Superintendent
Kingston Community Schools
Please review the linked information about our upcoming open board of education seats for
placement on the ballot for the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026. The filing deadline is July 21, 2026.