DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Schools will host an informational meeting on the district’s millage proposal at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 and 20.
The meetings to provide information about the Hold Harmless Millage renewal on the Nov. 4 general election ballot will be held at the DPS Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette.
The millage provides approximately $40 million of the district’s $180 million budget and will expire next spring. The district is asking residents to renew this millage for another 10 years.
The Hold Harmless Millage was first approved by voters in 1995 then renewed in 2004. The millage is made up of two parts: 18 mills on business and commercial property, generating $27.8 million, and 6.17 mills on homeowners, generating $11.5 million.
Combined, the millage generates $39.3 million or 22 percent of the district’s total $178.7 million budget.
A 22 percent reduction in the budget would force the administration and school board to make reductions across the spectrum of opportunities now offered to students, DPS Community and Public Relations Director David Mustonen said.
Services such as busing; programs such as art, music, and sports; co-curricular and extracurricular activities and numerous elective classes would come under scrutiny and might need to be cut or drastically reduced, he said.
Additional information can be found on a special Hold Harmless Renewal website (http://holdharmless.dearbornschools.org) or by calling the Dearborn Public Schools Communications Office at 313-827-3006.