The bond proposal that will be on the ballot in May 2023 is what is commonly referred to as a 3-series proposal. A traditional bond proposal allows a district to sell bonds one time and receive funds. If a 3-series bond is passed, it would authorize West Bloomfield School District to sell bonds at three different times in the near future. This allows the district to create a decade-long facility plan.

If passed, below is the schedule for when the bonds would be sold and how much each series would yield.

The major project features for Bond 2023 include:

• Replacing two existing elementary schools at the Sheiko and Doherty campuses. Both new buildings would retain the Doherty and Sheiko names and be located on the current campuses.  Gretchko and Scotch Elementary Schools would receive upgrades and additions to provide equity of spaces for all elementary students.

• West Bloomfield High School was built in 1970 and is over 50 years old. Infrastructure upgrades are planned throughout the high school, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) and CTE (Career Technical Education) spaces will be enhanced through both renovations and an addition to offering students increased opportunities. The proposed WBHS outdoor multi-activity upgrades include the press box, main stadium scoreboard, grandstands, concessions, and pickleball. 

• Creating dedicated Early Childhood space at both Pre K - second grade school buildings.

• Investing in school bus replacement and technology and refresh cycles along with an investment in property acquisition.  

• Abbott building is almost 70 years old. Updates here will focus on infrastructure and space for the Central Office function to enhance District operations.

Since our five elementary schools range from 28 to 103 years old with the average age of District school facilities at 56 years, there will be two new, elementary schools built to replace Doherty and Sheiko Elementary buildings.  With the goal of providing comparable facilities and experiences for all elementary students, Scotch Elementary will receive renovations and an addition that will provide collaboration spaces, outdoor learning opportunities, and an enhanced playground, along with infrastructure improvements based on the Facilities Condition Assessment. Gretchko Elementary will also receive renovations and an addition to provide space for our increased early childhood population and enhanced learning areas, along with infrastructure improvements based on the Facilities Condition Assessment. These upgrades and new schools will offer elementary students a modern learning environment with greater educational opportunities.  All elementary schools will be designed with the goal of allowing various grade configuration options should that be the desire of the school district in the future.

Sheiko is nearly a 70 year old building that needed the previous investments to be completed to bridge the gap for maintaining a safe and appropriate learning environment for students and staff. Much of the recent site work at Sheiko will be preserved, including the site lighting, traffic signal, and underground storm detention system tanks. TMP Architecture and Auch Construction are aware of the previous work and will work to maximize preservation of prior investments.

We have allocated $10,000,000 of the new bond funding for classroom tech improvements & integration over the next six years.

Instructional Technology

• Student Devices (Chromebooks, iPads, computer labs, robotics, STEAM equipment)

• Staff Devices (laptops, desktops, interactive technologies, new, and emerging technology equipment)

• Classroom technology (audio enhancement, display, and interactive technology, technology education resources, and adaptive technology)

• Athletic Technology (supportive physical educational technology)

Infrastructure Technology

• District-wide telecommunications (phones, video conferencing, Voice Over IP, television/broadcasting equipment, clocks)

• Large Format Audio Video solutions (collaborative technologies, large group instructional technologies)

• Fiber network enhancements

• New and remodeled spaces infrastructure (cabling, data access, classroom support)

• Network Electronics (network core, switches, UPS, wireless access, future technology dependencies)

• Safety and Security (card access, security camera systems, video surveillance servers)

The District, in partnership with George W. Auch Construction and TMP Architecture, updated its comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment to include cost estimates for recommended infrastructure improvements needed in one to five years. Infrastructure improvements are generally made to keep school buildings in good condition to keep students and staff safe, warm, and dry. For this bond program, the scope of work will be focused on estimated costs to replace within 1-5 years. These improvements include mechanical/electrical work, site work, roofing, toilet rooms, and classroom features such as doors, windows, and casework.

Attracting and retaining students plays a major role in keeping the District’s operating budget stable. The School District receives operational funding from the State of Michigan for every student attending the West Bloomfield School District. The quality of a community’s school district is generally regarded as an important consideration by potential home buyers. Also, the quality of a school district’s programs and the condition of its facilities are two factors that many parents consider when deciding where to send their children to school. The goal of the bond program is to support updated teaching methods and to continue to provide safe, appropriate, and comfortable learning environments and sites for our children. The educational landscape is becoming more competitive, and parents have many choices as to where to enroll their children in school. Just as important is the quality of our facilities in attracting and retaining students. The School District strives to provide students and families with the best possible learning environment.  

Residents without school-aged children derive both direct and indirect benefits from the condition of our school buildings and the quality of our programs. Studies show that houses associated with higher-quality schools command a much higher price premium, indicating a positive correlation between the learning environment and student outcomes, a strong school community, and housing values.

Each school day, approximately 3,500 of the District’s more than 4,900 Students are transported to school via the school district’s fleet of buses.  The District has found that, as buses reach nine years of use or 150,000 miles, replacement becomes necessary for the District to avoid increasing maintenance costs and vehicle downtime. Historically, the District has purchased buses through the use of bond funds instead of using funds from our general operating budget that could otherwise be used to support classroom instruction.  From the proposed bond issue, approximately 20 buses will be replaced.

The ultimate goal is to take the ACS building offline.  This will be accomplished in conjunction with the plans to move central administrative functions to the Abbott building and the plans to create dedicated early childhood spaces in both the north and south ends of the District boundaries.  

A bond is a State-approved funding process for a set scope of projects. When voters approve a bond proposal, the school district sells bonds in the authorized amount and uses the bond sale proceeds to pay for those projects in the bond proposal. Bonds are typically set up to be paid back in 20-30 years. In many ways, the bonding process is like a homeowner obtaining a mortgage and making payments over a period of years. 

School Bond initiatives allow for school districts to tackle large projects that they would otherwise not be able to. The community votes to approve a large investment that is then paid for over time through tax dollars. In May of 2023, the West Bloomfield School District would be able to secure $148 million in funding with NO tax rate increase for our community.

Bond proceeds can be used for the following items:

• Construction and remodeling of facilities;
• Purchase of technology equipment and infrastructure;
• Purchase of equipment and furniture;
• Site improvements; and
• Purchase of buses.

Bond proceeds cannot be used for the following items:

• Staff salaries and wages;
• General operating expenses, repairs, and maintenance;
• Classroom supplies and textbooks; and
• Administrative costs.

Yes. All revenue from the bond proposal will stay in the District. No revenue will go to any other school district.

Property taxes may be deductible as itemized deductions on your federal income tax return if you itemize. You may also be eligible for the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit on your Michigan income tax return. Please consult with your tax preparer.

Michigan's homestead property tax credit is how the State of Michigan can help you pay some of your property taxes if you are a qualified Michigan homeowner or renter and meet the requirements. You should complete the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim MI-1040CR to see if you qualify for the credit.  The credit, for most people, is based on a comparison between property taxes and total household resources. Homeowners pay property taxes directly and renters pay them indirectly with their rent.

Due to the passage of the Statewide ballot proposal in November 2018, all eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing a reason. Applications for absentee ballots are available at your local clerk’s office or online at www.michigan.gov/vote (available 75 days before Election Day).

Dania H. Bazzi, PhD-Superintendent - dania.bazzi@wbsd.org - (248) 865-6490

OR

Rebecca Fannon - Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator - rebecca.fannon@wbsd.org - (248) 865-6454

WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND PROPOSAL

Shall West Bloomfield School District, Oakland County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Forty-Eight Million Dollars ($148,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefore, in one or more series, for the purpose of:

erecting, furnishing, and equipping two new elementary school buildings; erecting, furnishing, and equipping additions to elementary school buildings and the high school building; remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and reequipping elementary school buildings and the high school building; acquiring and installing instructional technology in school buildings; purchasing school buses; acquiring sites; and preparing, erecting, developing, improving, and equipping playfields, playgrounds, athletic fields, facilities and structures, and sites.

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023 is 2.35 mills ($2.35 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a -0- mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty (20) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 3.27 mills ($3.27 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $-0-. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $-0-. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)