Funding measures pass in Van Dyke, Warren Con districts

CENTER LINE/WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS — Building improvements, technology upgrades, roof replacements and more are on the horizon for Van Dyke Public Schools. 

On Election Day Nov. 5, the district’s voting majority approved a $36.1 million bond proposal that will generate tax dollars to fund a number of updates across the district. 

 According to Macomb County elections officials, the Van Dyke bond issue passed with 4,213 “yes” votes and 2,253 voters who turned it down. The bond is for 25 years. 

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 school officials, the Van Dyke bond proposal is a zero-mill increase ballot question. Officials said the bond would not increase the current school property tax because of the previous bond issue. 

“The community’s support for this bond shows how much we all care about giving our students, staff, and community the best possible educational experience. We really appreciate the confidence from our voters,” Superintendent Piper Bognar said. “With this investment, we can keep delivering the quality education our community expects, and our students deserve.”

The next steps include working with the district’s project partner SitelogIQ. District officials will continue to keep the community informed on the progress of current and future facility projects.

School officials have outlined the bond projects on the district’s website at vdps.net. Some of the projects include new roofs for Lincoln Middle School and the Kennedy Early Childhood Center; sections of roofing replacements at Lincoln Elementary School and Lincoln High School; upgraded learning space furniture at all the school buildings; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning updates. In addition, the pool area at Lincoln High School will be renovated into a multipurpose space.

 

Warren Con operating millage

At the polls Tuesday, Warren Consolidated Schools voters approved the district’s operating millage replacement, which will keep the rate steady for the next 10 years. According to the county, 25,084 people voted in favor of the ballot proposal while 22,900 voted “no” on it.  

According to school officials, the operating millage replacement is not a tax increase for community homeowners on their principal residence. The operating millage allows the district to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills on non-homestead property, which is primarily industrial and commercial properties and residential rental properties. 

The operating millage rate replacement contributes directly to the district’s operating budget and assists in maintaining educational programs for students. Now that it has been approved, the operating millage replacement 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 county, the operating millage will 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% 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.

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.