More Resources
Dearborn Public Schools strives to be transparent and provide information to our families and residents. In such a large district, the amount of information can be overwhelming. Below are some links and tips for how to find information from the district related to infrastructure and financing.
Again, we will note that information will evolve over time, so if any details conflict, please use the more recent information.
Air-conditioning map (December 2023)
List of building ages and sizes
Fielding International was hired in the fall of 2022 conduct a long-range facilities plan. As part of that study, the firm visited every building in the district, met with hundreds of stakeholders, offered a community survey and in February held community visioning sessions.
Reports and documents from Fielding are provided below.
Scenario presentation from the May 15, 2023 Board of Education study session. An updated version of the May 15 presentation includes keeping Fordson High in all the scenarios.
Thirty Year Study initial report – provided to the Board of Education during a special meeting on March 21, 2023. Documents related to that report:
- Interactive facility map with information about individual buildings such as enrollment, utilization, condition of the building and adaptability
- Facility Condition Index – A report from Stantec talking about the infrastructure needs at each building and comparing the cost of that construction work to the price to build a new school
- Enrollment projections – 2022-23 enrollment at each local school in the district and 10-year projections for enrollment in that area
Slides used in February 2023 Visioning the Future Town Hall meetings
Also see the COVID funds webpage
ESSER spending overview spreadsheet – dated February 2023
ESSER 3 update spending graphic – dated February 2023
Poster of how district is using COVID funds – dated February 2022
Spreadsheet with more details of spending categories – April 21, 2022
While not specifically related to facilities issues, the district’s Transparency Page includes numerous documents related to financial operations in the district including items like budgets, audits, employee contracts and much more.
You can get the latest district news directly to your email by subscribing on the First Bell website at www.firstbell.dearbornschools.org.
Summary of summer 2023 construction work released posted on Oct. 6, 2023
Consultant presents possible building scenarios posted on June 2, 2023
Facility report shows need for major investments in district school buildings posted on March 23, 2023
Board holding special meeting on March 21 to hear long-term facility plan posted on March 10, 2023
ESSER update shows $52 million being invested in infrastructure posted on Feb. 14, 2023
School Matters podcast – Episode 8 – Fielding International posted on Feb. 8, 2023
Four town halls planned to discuss long-range building planning posted on Jan. 19, 2023
All schools reopening Jan. 9, including those with winter water damage posted on Jan. 6, 2023
December facilities update – Info at January meeting, AC selection explained posted on Dec. 12, 2022
District on track to invest nearly $100 million in buildings over two years posted on Dec. 6, 2022
Firm studying district facilities offering survey for community feedback posted on Nov. 16, 2022
Firm hired, starting 30-year study of district building and education needs posted on Oct. 27, 2022
Change in state funding means reduction in local property tax bills this summer (includes information on planned ESSERS capital improvement projects) posted on June 22, 2022
Town town halls, website added to discuss and gather input on facility needs, financing and possible bond posted on April 25, 2022
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
Video of April 28, 2022 presentation (For those who want captions, see Part 1 and Part 2).
Town Hall presentation 4-19-22
4-11-22 Infrastructure financing report to the Board of Education The report includes information about sinking funds and general list of needs by building.
3-23-22 VIP Committee report to the board
Construction Inflation Alert from April 2022
1-13-22 VIP Committee overview of topics
1-31-22 Recap of 2019 BRICS Bond
1-20-22 Video of committee building tour of Lowrey K-8, McCollough Elementary and Fordson High
1-20-22 Folder of photos and videos from building tours
VIP worksheet with estimated per item cost
2-10-22 Millage explanation presentation
In November 2019, Dearborn Public Schools voters narrowly defeated (by 242 votes) the district’s request for a $240 million bond. The proposal was dubbed the BRICS bond for Buildings, Renovations, Infrastructure, Capacity and Safety. Below are documents related to that bond. Since the bond did NOT pass, most projects listed in the bond proposal have not been completed. Some work was funded through other measures such as regular district funding or ESSER federal COVID relief funding. Also note information was current in 2019 when it was first published. Information may have changed since then, especially financial figures such as expected costs and tax rates.
BRICS proposed projects by schools. See also the Projects by School in Arabic.
BRICS bond flyer. See also the Flyer in Arabic
Explanation of ballot language
In November 2013, district voters approved the SMART bond providing the district $76 million while maintaining the same millage rate. SMART was an acronym for Security, Modifications, Additions, Renovations, Technology and Transportation.