Two town halls, website added to discuss and gather input on district infrastructure needs, financing and possible bond

Dearborn Public Schools has added two more town halls to present information and gather feedback on infrastructure needs in the district, how to pay for repairs and improvements, and whether residents would support a vote for a bond or other tax millage to fix those needs.

The full list of remaining meeting dates includes:

• Tuesday, April 26 at 5 p.m. at Dearborn High in the cafeteria 
• Wednesday, April 27 at 5 p.m. at Fordson High School in the cafeteria 
• Thursday, April 28 at 6 p.m. via a virtual meeting broadcast on the district’s YouTube channel and Facebook with the opportunity to submit questions online. Residents can also attend in the boardroom at the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette, Dearborn.
• NEW – Wednesday, May 4 at 3 p.m. at River Oaks Elementary School.
• NEW – Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. at Salina Intermediate School.

The first meeting was held last week at Edsel Ford High School.  Residents can see the presentation used at the meeting here.

Residents can also fill out an online Google Form to share what they see as the top infrastructure needs in the district and give feedback on how the district should fund the work.

Meanwhile, to help residents better understand issues related to school facilities and financing, the district is launching a new Facilities Planning webpage.  The slide presentation used at the town hall meetings is posted already, and the district expects to soon add a trove of other information including reports to the Board of Education and information shared with the citizen’s committee, called the Vision for Infrastructure and Planning Committee. 

Information gathered from the survey and from the town hall meetings will be presented to the Board of Education at its May 9 regular meeting at 7 p.m. 

On Monday, April 11, the Board of Education turned its regular monthly meeting into a study session to discuss funding options and infrastructure needs in the district.  A citizen’s committee last month recommended the district put a bond question on the November ballot to pay for infrastructure needs.  The board also is considering using a sinking fund, instead of a bond, to pay for work.  A 2 mill sinking fund would generate a total of $87 million over 10 years while 1 mill would generate about $43 million over that time.  A bond question asking residents to keep the current 3.5 mill rate to pay for a 20-year bond would generate $200 million to make more widespread repairs.

A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.  

While the board would not have to formally vote until later this year to put a bond or sinking fund question on the November 2022 ballot, district administrators have asked for a decision this spring.  That would provide Dearborn Schools more time to clarify information about the district’s plan and to present it to the public.

Previous First Bell article related to this topic

You can get the latest district news directly to your email by subscribing on the First Bell website at www.firstbell.dearbornschools.org.

District buying to HFC buildings to expand Early College high schools posted April 14, 2022

Public survey, info sessions to gather feedback on infrastructure needs and possible funding vote  Posted April 12, 2022

Trustees to hold special study session on April 11 to further discuss possible bond  posted on March 30, 2022

Members selected for VIP infrastructure committee posted on Dec. 23, 2021

District taking names for a citizens infrastructure committee posted on Nov. 17, 2021