By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Schools voters rejected the district’s $240 million bond, for district wide improvements, in the Nov. 5 general election.
Results showed a less than 500 vote difference with 7,252 against the 4.82-mill proposal and 6,782 for it. A total of 14,131 voters of 69,209 made it to the polls for a 20 percent voter turnout.
The bond was not a tax increase from the current rate, but instead replaced other bonds that are expiring. BRICS is the nickname the district gave the bond to help residents understand that the money will be used for mostly brick and mortar needs.
About $194 million was planned go to buildings, renovations and infrastructure. Capacity would have accounted for about $22 million, technology $14 million, and security $12 million.
DPS Supt. Glenn Maleyko thanked everyone who worked on getting information on the bond out to the community on a Nov. 6 blog post.
“I would like to start by thanking the community Infrastructure Task Force that spent months studying the district’s needs,” he wrote in a Nov. 6 blog post. “A little over a year ago, that group recommended the priorities included in the bond and that the district pursue a bond that would not increase the tax rate.
“I also would like to thank our board, parents, and staff members who went above and beyond in their efforts to share information on the BRICS bond with our community prior to November 5th. Specifically, I appreciate the tireless efforts of the Citizens for Dearborn Schools, a group of community volunteers who spent countless hours advocating for the passage of the BRICS Bond.”
Maleyko said moving forward, he will continue to work with the Board of Education as it provides direction on how to proceed.
“The district cannot fund the level of work proposed in the BRICS bond from the general fund, which has an annual budget of about $230 million,” he wrote. “Even prioritizing the most needed infrastructure projects would likely require reductions from other parts of our budget that may impact staffing levels, curriculum, or other services provided to students.”
“The outcome of the bond shows a part of the community did not agree with this proposal. I hope those who had concerns about the BRICS bond will step forward, join the ongoing district dialogue, and present possible solutions for our infrastructure, capacity and security needs,” he also wrote.
To read Maleyko’s full statement click here.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])