Press Release #5/2019-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 29, 2019
Contact: David Mustonen, Communications Director
(313) 827-3006 MustonD@dearbornschools.org
BRICS bond informational sessions scheduled
Dearborn Public Schools is planning a series of informational sessions this fall to let residents and families know more about the BRICS Bond.
A question on the Nov. 5 ballot will ask residents to approve a new $240 million bond for the district. The new bonds will not increase the current tax rate because it is replacing other bonds that are expiring. So while residents would not see their tax rate increase, the district could make some much needed repairs and upgrades.
BRICS is a nickname the District gave the bond to help residents understand that the money will be used for mostly brick and mortar needs. The acronym stands for Buildings, Renovations, Infrastructure, Capacity and Safety. About $194 million would go to buildings, renovations and infrastructure. Capacity would account for about $22 million, technology $14 million, and security $12 million.
The need for a bond began with discussions almost two years ago to address overcrowding at two of the District’s high schools.
That conversation led to the creation of a Citizens Infrastructure Task Force, which presented its findings to the Board of Education last October. The task force reported that infrastructure, capacity, and safety most needed to be addressed, but it also included air conditioning as a separate item for consideration.
All the BRICS Bond informational meeting dates will also be posted on the District’s bond website at https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/bond/. The District expects more meetings to be scheduled. Residents and families are invited to attend whatever meeting fits their schedule. A general meeting for the community is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette St.
A complete building-by-building list of planned projects is being developed. Once the list is finalized, each meeting will include a list of planned bond projects for that school. The full list will also be posted on the bond site.
Every school would see some benefits from the bond.
The bond’s main focus will be infrastructure including boilers and related equipment, restrooms, roofs, flooring, doors, windows, LED lighting, paving, and sidewalks. Some buses and technology needs will also be purchased.
Capacity issues addressed under the bond would include additions at a few elementary level buildings and constructing special education classrooms. The district is also looking at acquiring two buildings on the Henry Ford College campus, an ideal site to accommodate the expanding Early College programs and the growing Adult Education program. The Early College programs also help relieve overcrowding at the traditional high schools. Moving Adult Education out of the Dearborn Heights Campus is part of a plan to add more space to the Michael Berry Career Center. Those career programs also help relieve crowding at the traditional high schools of Dearborn High, Edsel Ford and Fordson.
Security and safety changes in the bond
proposal include improving how visitors can access schools. In some cases that may mean remodeling or
moving the main office closer to the front doors for better control and
monitoring of who enters the building during the school day. Many schools are also adding more security
card readers.
The current meeting schedule includes:
- Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette St., Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
- Becker Elementary, 10821 Henson, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.
- Bryant Middle, 460 N. Vernon, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
- Dearborn High, 19501 Outer Drive, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
- DuVall Elementary, 22561 Beech, Dearborn, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
- Edsel Ford High, 20601 Rotunda, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
- Howard Elementary, 1611 N. York, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m.
- Howe Montessori and Elementary, 22586 Ann Arbor Trail, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
- Lindbergh Elementary, 500 N. Waverly, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
- Long Elementary, 3100 Westwood, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.
- Lowrey School, 6601 Jonathon, Oct. 24 at 8:30 a.m.
- Maples Elementary, 6801 Mead Street, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m.
- McCollough Elementary, 7801 Maple, Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m.
- McDonald Elementary, 10151 Diversey, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m.
- Miller Elementary, 4824 Lois, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m.
- Nowlin Elementary, 23600 Penn, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
- Oakman Elementary, 7545 Chase Road, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m.
- River Oaks Elementary, 20755 Ann Arbor, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
- Salina Elementary, 2700 Ferney, Sept. 20 at 8 a.m.
- Salina Intermediate, 2623 Salina, Oct. 23 at 8:15 a.m.
- Smith Middle, 23851 Yale, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
- Snow Elementary, 2000 Culver, Oct. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
- Stout Middle, 18500 Oakwood, Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
- Unis Middle, 7801 Maple, Oct. 16 at 9: 30 a.m.
- Whitmore Bolles Elementary, 21501 Whitmore, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.
- William Ford Elementary, 14749 Alber, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.
- Woodworth Middle, 4951 Ternes, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
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