Voters in the West Bloomfield, Mich., School District passed a $120-million bond proposal Tuesday.
It was a commanding win for the district, with nearly 70% of the voters approving the proposal. The vote totals were 3,321 yes to 1,514 no.
The money raised from the bond proposal will address a number of projects, including building a new middle school to house students from Abbott and Orchard Lake middle schools.
"We're very pleased and excited to move forward with planning the future of the West Bloomfield school district," Superintendent Gerald Hill said tonight.
The West Bloomfield proposal was the largest of nine school-related proposals going before voters Tuesday in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
In addition to the new middle school, projects include classroom renovations at West Bloomfield High School, redesigned spaces for elementary school libraries, common areas and classrooms; upgrading and replacing technology; and replacing aging school buses.
The proposal won't result in an increase in the district's tax rate, because officials have been paying off existing debt and expect the school rate to decline. The district will extend its debt millage rate to accommodate the proposal.
The fact that the proposal won't result in a tax increase, Hill said, "is huge." It meant voters were more willing to listen to what the district wanted to do, and to support it.
Projects at the high school and elementary schools will be completed first, over the next two years. In two years, construction on the new middle school will begin, he said.
"That takes the longest to plan," Hill said of the middle school.
Here is how some other school proposals fared Tuesday night:
New Haven Community Schools
Voters rejected the district's proposal to create a sinking fund -- a special fund that generates revenue to pay for major repair projects.
The vote was 864 no to 609 yes.
In November, voters in the district rejected a similar proposal.
The proposal would have increased the school millage rate by 1.2 mills and generated $695,531 in 2017.
Chippewa Valley Public Schools
Voters turned down a $90-million bond proposal that would have paid for a number of projects affecting every building in the district.
The vote was 8,128 no to 5,753 yes.
"I'm extremely disappointed," Superintendent Ron Roberts said this evening. "This is a sad day for Chippewa Valley."
Roberts said the community has always supported its schools, and now the district will have to take a deep look at the results and determine "the best way forward."
"I think we had great plans in this bond proposal. We were really going to enhance technology for our students. We also have just basic needs to meet in our school district. That's what this bond was about."
The projects would have included upgrading classrooms and other instructional spaces; upgrading elementary play areas and secondary school athletic facilities; improving parking lots and sidewalks; replacing roofing, mechanical and electrical systems; updating technology; enhancing school security and student safety, and replacing old school buses.
The owner of a home with a market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000 would have paid an additional $50 in the first year.
Center Line Public Schools
A $58-million bond proposal in Center Line Public Schools was rejected by voters. The vote was 1,103 no to 1,021 yes.
The proposal would have built a new school to house students from Peck Elementary and the district's early childhood center.
Fraser Public Schools
Voters approved a $29-million bond proposal that will pay for a number of improvement projects in the district, but won't result in a tax increase.
The vote was 1,982 yes to 1,403 no.
It will pay for resurfacing and expanding parking lots; upgrading elementary school playgrounds; replacing aging technology; installing air-conditioning in the elementary and middle school gyms; renovating the pool, locker rooms and performing arts center at Fraser High School, and replacing aging school buses.
The district's debt millage will remain the same, meaning no increase in the tax rate, but would be extended.
Anchor Bay School District
Voters approved a $22.5-million bond proposal.
The vote was 2,762 yes to 1,519 no.
The money would pay for remodeling and upgrading schools and other buildings, upgrading technology, enhancing school security and student safety, and replacing aging school buses.
The district's current debt millage would remain the same, but would be extended.
Millage renewals
Three school districts had routine millage renewals on the ballot. In Warren Consolidated Schools, voters approved renewing 18 mills for 10 years for operating purposes. The vote was 7,344 yes to 3,057 no. In Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools, voters approved renewing 18 mills for 10 years for operating purposes. The vote was 465 yes to 277 no. In Lincoln Park Public Schools, voters approved a proposal that would renew 17.973 mills and to override Headlee rollbacks and levy the full 18 mills for 20 years to cover operating expenses. The vote was 815 yes to 731 no.
