Van Dyke Public Schools will have a $36.1 million bond proposal on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
By: Maria Allard | C&G Newspapers | Published October 25, 2024
WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS/TROY — As Election Day nears on Nov. 5, residents in the Van Dyke Public Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools districts will be asked to consider bond proposals.
Van Dyke is placing a $36.1 million bond initiative on the ballot that, if passed, will support facility and learning environment improvements.
Warren Consolidated officials are asking residents to approve an operating millage replacement.
Van Dyke Public Schools bond initiative
Van Dyke’s $36.1 million bond is for 25 years. The proposal is a zero-mill increase ballot question. If the bond passes, it will generate funding to pay for improvements to school facilities districtwide. Officials said the bond would not increase the current school property tax because of the previous bond issue.
A bond proposal is developed by the school district and presented to the voters for approval. When a bond proposal passes, the bonds are sold in the capital markets at a date determined by the district, a financial advisor and an underwriter. Upon closing, funds generated from the bond sale are deposited in the district’s construction fund and are available to spend for completion of the projects contemplated in the bond proposal.
According to ballot language provided by the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office, the estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025, under current law, is 1.40 mills.
Van Dyke Public Schools Superintendent Piper Bognar said via email the bond issue will benefit the district and community in several ways.
“The bond is a way to ensure that our Van Dyke community receives the best in a fantastic environment with no tax increase. First, it will allow us to do critical maintenance on our buildings, including roof replacements and HVAC upgrades,” Bognar said. “We will also be able to do at least one or two more iterations of technology upgrades for students and staff. As far as ‘pretty’ projects, we’re looking at installing a new turf field and track, as well as a multipurpose community room at Lincoln High School.”
The district’s last bond issue passed in 2008 for $62.6 million, which provided funding for school building safety and security upgrades, technology enhancements and building updates throughout the district. With that bond, taxpayers paid 8 mills on it. If the 2024 bond proposal passes, the tax rate will decrease a bit with district residents paying 7 mills. That is why school officials are calling it a zero-mill increase.
“Strong neighborhood schools are the cornerstone of a strong community,” Bognar said. “A safe and secure environment is necessary for students to learn and staff to provide an education. Updating the facilities is a must. We’ll start by replacing two roofs and move on to HVAC and other work in our buildings.”
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
“We appreciate the support from our community and know what a great opportunity this bond will provide,” Bognar said. “We look forward to the continued growth and success of our students.”
School officials have worked with SiteLogIQ to create a facilities management plan, which led to the bond proposal. Should the bond proposal pass, SiteLogIQ will manage the construction projects.
If the bond passes, work on the projects would begin next summer. If the bond does not pass, school officials will go back to the drawing board.
“Operating a school district is sometimes like owning a home. There are some items that are expensive and nearly impossible to fund,” Bognar said. “State and federal budgets don’t adequately allow for roof replacements, new boilers, etc. so that we can continue to provide the best opportunities for our students.”
Go to the district’s website at vdps.net to view the details of the impending projects or call the bond hotline at (888) 786-7168 for more information.
Warren Consolidated Schools operating millage replacement
Residents in the Warren Consolidated Schools district are being asked to consider keeping the district’s operating millage rate steady for the next 10 years.
According to school officials, the operating millage replacement is not a tax increase for community homeowners on their principal residence. If approved, the operating millage would allow the district to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on non-homestead property, which is primarily industrial and commercial real property and residential rental property.
The operating millage rate replacement, if approved, contributes directly to the district’s operating budget and assists in maintaining educational programs for students.
The proposal, if authorized, would replace, restore and extend the authority of the school district, which expires with the 2027 tax levy, to levy up to 18 mills for general school district operating purposes on taxable property in the school district.
According to the ballot language provided by the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office, the operating millage, if approved and levied, would provide estimated revenues to the district of $857,642 during the 2024 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes.
If the millage renewal does not pass, the district will receive 19 percent less funding for the next 10 years, which would negatively impact programs, class sizes, learning supplies, staffing, utilities and extracurricular activities.
The millage affects only the district’s general fund. It is not related to the $150 million capital improvement bond that passed in 2022.
At the Oct. 16 Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent John Bernia encouraged community members to read up on the millage proposal on the district’s website at WCSKIDS.NET.
“There is a plenty of information, frequently asked questions and contact information just to make sure that the community is informed when they go to vote about proposal,” he said.