Six Oakland County school districts are asking voters to approve a total of nearly $837 million in bonds on the November ballot.
Five of the six — Birmingham, Farmington, Holly, Lake Orion and Royal Oak — note on the ballot that approval of the bonds would result in a zero-mill increase to taxpayers from what they currently pay.
It’s something that superintendents are quick to emphasize, along with the need for upkeep of buildings and keeping students and staff safe, as voters increasingly show their weariness of taxes.
“I would like voters to know there is no increase to the current tax rate, and it’s an investment in our school district and their property taxes − strong schools equal strong communities,” Birmingham Schools Superintendent Embekka
Roberson said. “Most people moved here because of our strong schools, and we want to continue to keep them strong.”
Birmingham is asking for approval of the largest bond amount on the ballot, $240 million. The district currently levies 3.80 mills, and approval of this bond would not increase that rate as older debt falls off. If approved, 0.84 mills would be levied in the first year toward paying off the new bond, and 1.30 mills on average annually thereafter.
The bond money would be used for updating safety and security measures, including replacement and additions of cameras as well as a BluePoint alarm system that notifies police of imminent threats; college and career readiness additions, including engineering lab equipment; school buses; additions to schools including the expansion and upgrade of the Midvale Early Childhood Center; and, like most other districts, repair or replacement of aging infrastructure.
“It’s not a shiny thing, but we need to replace roofs, HVAC systems, boilers and plumbing, to name a few,” Roberson said, noting that with 13 schools and three additional buildings in the Birmingham district, there is “almost always something you are replacing.”
The same is true in the Farmington and Royal Oak school districts.
Farmington 'fiscally responsible' with $171 million bond
In Farmington, a $171 million bond is proposed that, if passed, would result in improvements at all 17 buildings in the district, including roofs, plumbing, and electrical.
The core part of this bond, Superintendent Kelly Coffin said, is programming and a focus on instruction, including expansion of STEAM and Maker Space programs, enhancement of performing arts spaces at middle schools, athletic facilities at both high schools, media centers at multiple buildings, playground accessibility and more.
The district is on a plan that brings bond proposals before voters every 5-6 years to maintain buildings and provide programming needs while keeping the total millage rate levied at 3.2 mills.
“We have been very fiscally responsible with funds the community approved in the past and will continue to do so,” Coffin said. “In meetings with parents, it’s very clear they support schools, but we need to do (bonds) where we don’t increase the millage rate.”
Royal Oak pays homage to history with an eye on future
In Royal Oak, district officials are proposing a $165 million bond for school improvements, with $95 million of this to be used for critical infrastructure, including roofs, boilers and parking lots.
The district expects to pay off the bonds by keeping the annual millage at or below the current levy of 2.20 mills, a zero-mill increase, as old debt is paid off. The bonds must be retired within 15 years, according to ballot language. The estimated millage to pay the proposed new bonds in the first year is 1.41 mills, and thereafter, the average annual millage to retire each series of bonds is 2.05 mills.
Royal Oak Superintendent John Tafelski said most of the schools in the district will get upgrades to their front entrances to add to security, but also for efficiency and, “in many cases because the schools were built so long ago and when you ask where the front of the high school is, you get three different answers.”
The average age of school buildings in Royal Oak is 65 years old. Oakland Elementary is over a century old, and Royal Middle School will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027.
“We look at our history as a superpower,” Tafelski said. “We have 100-year-old stonework and masonry, but those things have to be kept up. … We have old hobbit doors that are beautiful and amazing, but hard to fit a wheelchair through. We want to maintain history, but build for students’ needs now.”
He observes that running air conditioning in a 100-year-old facility is also challenging, so officials look to find ways that are efficient and sustainable to keep students and staff comfortable.
If approved, bond money will also be used for instructional technology, upgrades to athletic facilities, and the biggest program enhancement − an expansion of the early childhood center which would add a whole new wing with eight classrooms.
The expansion would offer the ability to provide free preschool to an additional 250-300 kids.
Royal Oak’s overall enrollment increased by 100 kids this year, to 4,950 students in the district. It is the district’s highest overall enrollment since the pandemic, and Royal Oak has its biggest kindergarten class since 2000.
“It’s really exciting for us,” Tafelski said. “We appreciate voters’ support in the past and look forward to them supporting this bond so that we can look forward to the next 100 years in Royal Oak.”
Here’s who else is seeking voter approval for school bonds in Oakland County:
Lake Orion Community Schools
In Lake Orion, district officials are seeking voter approval to borrow $115,985,000 in bonds.
The money would be used for safety and security measures; remodeling and improving infrastructure, including roofs, heating, plumbing and electrical systems; additions to school buildings, including for special education programs and robotics, career tech and trades education; technology infrastructure and school buses.
Approval of the bond proposal would keep the district’s tax levy at or below 7 mills, a zero-mill increase from what taxpayers are currently paying.
According to the ballot language, “the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 1.74 mills (which is equal to $1.74 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of bonds is 2.06 mills annually ($2.06 per $1,000 of taxable value).”
Holly Area School District
In Holly, district officials are asking voters to approve $97.6 million in bonds.
The money would be used for safety and security measures, including installation of emergency communication systems, window enhancements, entrance barriers and a backup power generator. Additionally, the district seeks to remodel, furnish and equip school facilities, including the Holly High School library and media center and replace infrastructure in schools, including plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems.
Other planned improvements include a new multipurpose facility for improving music rehearsal spaces and expanded athletic practice spaces, new outdoor storage buildings and additions and improvements at multiple facilities, athletic fields and playgrounds.
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2027 is 3.45 mills, a zero-mill increase over the current levy. The district estimates the simple average to retire the bond debt is 2.81 mills, with up to 30 years to retire it.
Lamphere Schools
The Lamphere school district in Madison Heights is asking voters to approve $47,340,000 in bonds for projects that will “create a modern learning environment for students and for health, safety, security, energy conservation and other purposes.”
The estimated millage levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 2.50 mills, and is estimated to remain at that amount annually to retire each series of bonds. The bonds would be guaranteed by the State under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program, a program under which the district currently has no outstanding bonds or loans.
Reporter Susan Bromley covers Oakland County for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at sbromley@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: School bond proposals in Oakland County equal nearly $837 million
