Press Release #14/Nov. 17, 2021
Dearborn Public Schools is looking for citizens interested in providing input on infrastructure needs and future facility planning.
A citizen’s committee, to be called the Vision for Infrastructure and Planning (VIP) Committee, will meet once a week for five weeks in January and February with a sixth date reserved, if needed, in March. The meetings will allow VIP members to learn more about infrastructure, safety, technology and other facility needs in the district. The committee will then be tasked with developing recommendations to address those needs which may also include placing a bond proposal on the November 2022 ballot. The committee will present its recommendations to the Board of Education. The Board will make the final decision on the best options and if a bond proposal will be placed on the ballot. The committee’s recommendation will heavily influence that decision.
The VIP committee will have no more than 40 people, hopefully representing a cross section of stakeholders in the district. Those serving on the committee must be at least 16 years old and live or work within the district’s boundaries. Among the groups that will be represented are district residents, parents, school staff, and local businesses. The committee also will hopefully represent a geographic cross section of the district.
Those interested in serving on the committee can apply by completing a Google Form by Dec. 3. Signing up to be on the committee means a person is committing to attending all of the meetings. Meeting dates include:
- Thursday, January 13, 2022
- Thursday, January 20, 2022
- Thursday, January 27, 2022
- Thursday, February 10, 2022
- Thursday, February 24, 2022
- Tentative date, if needed, March 10.
All meetings will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette St., Dearborn in the Frank Franchi Board Room.
The district is working with Michigan Leadership Institute to facilitate the VIP Committee meetings and selecting the committee’s members. Those selected to serve on the committee will be notified in mid-December. Names for those who apply but are not selected for the committee will be kept, and they may be contacted later to see if they are interested in other service, such as working with future sub-committees.
“Dearborn Public Schools has a long history of soliciting input from a variety of stakeholders to assist in planning for the future needs of the district, especially when it may include placing a bond proposal on the ballot” said David Mustonen, Director of Communications and Marketing. “We are looking forward to a robust and detailed conversation with our Vision for Infrastructure and Planning Committee.”