The board voted 8-1 to withhold support of Proposal S, the bond issue Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb has been touting to renovate eight schools and build eight others. Board member Tyrone Winfrey abstained from voting. It would have been nice if all 9 members who were present voted against supporting Proposal S and it would have been even greater if all 11 board members were there to show unison for the first time since us as Detroiters got our elected board back. Still Board members expressed concerns over poor management of a 1994 $1.5 billion bond and uncertainty surrounding future leadership of the district. Bobb has not said whether he will stay past his one-year contract.
Board member Anthony Adams, who initially was supportive of the proposal because of the chance to build new schools, voted no because of concerns over management and Bobb's lack of consultation with the board. "There's too much uncertainty. We don't know (who) is going to be mayor, on City Council or if there is going to be an elected board," board member Annie Carter said. DPS overspent millions of the 1994 bond money to buy property for new schools and floors in the Fisher Building, according to an audit commissioned by Bobb. But if approved, strong oversight measures would be put in place, Bobb said.
Though Bobb says the bond won't amount to a tax hike, board members said it will cost Detroiters money at a time when they are grappling with a recession. "We can't afford it. Don't be tricked. Now is not the time," said board member Marie Thornton. Bobb launched a new Web site Thursday – “http://www.detroitk12.org/proposals” -- to explain the bond issue and address concerns over how the 1994 money was spent.
Proposal S
For those who don’t know Proposal S strives to rebuild and modernize schools. On Nov. 3, voters will have an opportunity to consider Proposal S, a bond referendum which seeks to take advantage of $500.5 million in stimulus dollars that President Barack Obama made available to build new schools and modernize existing schools. Detroit Public Schools seeks to build eight new schools and modernize 10 schools. The funds would come to DPS in the form of no-interest and low-interest bonds available under economic stimulus packages. These dollars must be spent quickly—within 3 years. DPS received the 6th largest allocation of qualified school construction bonds in the country. If the district does not use these funds, it will lose them. There will be no tax increase if Proposal S is approved. Taxes will remain the same.
Under Proposal S, $246 million — nearly half of the bonds — will be re-paid at a 0% interest rate. The program also will stimulate the economy. According to the State of Michigan’s formula, Proposal S will create nearly 11,000 jobs and will result in $500.5 million being spent in Detroit neighborhoods within a 3-year period beginning in January 2010. Proposal S will improve the district’s progress toward creating safe, new, state-of- the-art Centers of Excellence in Detroit neighborhoods and public schools. It is the district's goal that any Proposal S fund savings would be redirected to improve the safety, technology and quality of life in the district Robert Bobb, the district's emergency financial manager, is holding town hall meetings on Proposal S. He also will accept invitations from any community or school groups, senior citizens or any others to make a presentation on Proposal S.
Town Hall Dates
The dates of the Town Hall meetings, open to the public, are as follows:
Sept. 21 Denby, 12800 Kelly Road, at 5 p.m.
Sept. 22 Finney, 4180 Marlborough Street, at 5 p.m.
Sept. 23 Maybury, 4410 Porter Street, at 5 p.m.
Sept. 30 Vetal, 14200 Westwood Street, at 5 p.m.
Sept. 30 Hanstein, 4290 Marseilles Street, at 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 Henry Ford, 20000 Evergreen Road, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 6 JR King, 15850 Strathmoor Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 7 Southwestern, 6921 W. Fort Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 8 Mumford, 17525 Wyoming Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 12 Western International, 1500 Scotten Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 14 King HS, 3200 E. Lafayette Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 14 Marcus Garvey, 2301 Van Dyke Street, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 Cooley, 15055 Hubbell Avenue, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 20 Duffield, 2715 Macomb Street, at 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 Durfee, 2470 Collingwood Street, at 5:00 p.m.
Oct. 27 Northwestern, 2200 W. Grand Boulevard, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 27 Noble Elementary, 8646 Fullerton Street, at 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 Bethune, 10825 Fenkell Street, at 5 p.m.
Oct. 29 Mark Twain, 12800 Visger Street, at 7 p.m.
Resources
Proposal S
Proposal S Brochure
Proposal S description document
Proposal S Town Hall Press Release
Proposal S Ballot Language
Proposal S Bond Referendum (English)
Proposal S Bond Referendum (Arabic)
Proposal S Bond Referendum (Bengali)
Proposal S Bond Referendum (Hmong)
Proposal S Bond Referendum (Romanian)
Proposal S Bond Referendum (Spanish)
1994 Bond
Under the 1994 $1.5 Billion Bond Program, the District built 3 new High Schools, renovated 2 others, built 16 other new school buildings, in addition to providing over $600 million in capital improvements to over 175 schools within the District, including bathroom and kitchen upgrades, lighting and electrical improvements, athletic facilities and wiring for the internet.
1994 Bond Spending Distribution
1994 Bond Project Cost Totals (csv format)
Universal PreK-8 School Model
Detroit Public Schools is moving toward a universal PreK-8 school model. The Proposal S bond program will deliver 5 new and 5 renovated PreK-8 schools within the next three years. These schools will follow a consolidated schools model that creates “academic centers” within a single school / campus. The centers will typically group administration, PreK – 5, academic support (media center, resource rooms), Arts and Athletics, and 6 – 8 into these separate but contiguous areas.
Typical configuration of these spaces and relationship between the centers.
Proposal S Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bond issue anyway?
A bond issue is a way to borrow money to finance capital projects. Capital projects include building new schools; school renovations such as new heating and cooling systems, electrical repairs, security provisions or window and floor replacement; and installing the latest education technology equipment in the classroom. Bond issues must be approved by voters.
What will the money from Proposal S be used for?
Financing from the passage of Proposal S will be used to build eight new schools and modernize 10 other schools. Schools that are modernized will be renovated with new heating, electrical and security systems and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. These projects can include:
Media centers
New heating systems
New plumbing and restrooms
New flooring, windows and lighting
Infrastructure improvements for air quality and lighting
Renovated swimming pools
Geothermal alternative energy to lower costs
If Proposal S is passed, will my taxes increase?
No. If voters approve Proposal S, there would be No tax increase. The current bond repayment millage, which is now scheduled to expire in 2033, would remain at the current level through 2039.
Will Proposal S create new jobs?
Yes. The state of Michigan estimates Proposal S will create nearly 11,000 new jobs in Metro Detroit, including 3,725 direct jobs and 7,000 indirect jobs. Direct jobs are those directly connected to each project, such as construction workers, painters and architects. Indirect jobs include jobs like truck drivers and restaurant workers.
Will any provisions be put in place to make sure Detroiters get jobs if Proposal S is passed?
Yes. The bond program will include Local/Small Local Business Enterprise programs and incentives such as First Source programs to encourage hiring Detroiters and mentoring and student employment programs to train a new generation of construction professionals.
Why can’t we use this $500.5 million to eliminate DPS’ deficit?
Money from a bond referendum can only be used for capital projects. It cannot be used to reduce debt.
Why will some neighborhoods get new or modernized schools and others will not?
The 18 schools selected for the bond project were chosen based on a number of criteria including number of students, how much of the building is used and the condition of the building or the cost to keep the building a first-class school. Schools that met these criteria were considered for renovation or rebuilding.
What about schools that are not on the list?
Savings from the project budgets will be used to support a district-wide security initiative, which will include:
Interior and exterior digital cameras
Updated alarm systems
Keyless entry
Campus perimeter fencing
It will also be used for technology upgrades in the classrooms, such as Smartboards and creating access to the Internet.
What interest rate will DPS get on the $500.5 million bonds?
Nearly half of the bonds, $246.5 million, will be repaid at a 0% interest rate. The remainder, $254 million, will be repaid at a 0 to 2% interest rate. Both rates are far below what DPS would receive if it attempted to sell bonds on its own at this time.
How were the funds from the 1994 Bond Proposal used?
A full report on the 1994 Bond Proposal and the use of funds is available at www.detroitk12.org/ProposalS.
Is there an oversight committee planned for Proposal S?
DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb will establish an oversight committee of respected community leaders that will review every aspect of ongoing construction and funding. The DPS Bond Advisory and Fiscal Responsibility Committee will include parents, as well as government, industry, labor and community leaders who are committed to ensuring that the project has proper accountability and oversight.
What else is the district doing to secure funding?
Detroit Public Schools has aggressively pursued more than $800 million available in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds for K-12 school systems.
What Will I See on the Ballot?
Proposal S Ballot Language
All of this information comes directly from the DPS website that Robert Bobb and his team created to garner support for Proposal S but the truth of the matter is if we spent $1.5 billion in 1994 to do work to nearly 200 plus schools either to build new schools, remodel, or make improvements to the district in some way, shape or form than why are we being asked to spend a $500,540,000 million for just 18 schools. Does this sound right Detroit and to add misery to the matter, did we not see the chaos that happened at Cobo over getting aid to fight homelessness < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-r8rMPwp-A>. That melee should be a clear signal of just how desperate Detroiters are to stay afloat in these tough economic times. Detroiters can’t afford the continuation of paying for the rebuilding of DPS.
According to the DPS website, the 1994 bond proposal that I originally thought we would be done paying on it in 2011 isn’t set to expire until 2033 and if we pass Proposal S than it won’t expire until 2039 unless we borrow from the state to pay any of the interests on the loan than it could expire in 2069 at the earliest if the state decides so. Read the language people, the current bond mileage we are under was suppose to be for just 15 years but 30 years have been added to it already and another 30 years can be added to it if we pass Proposal S on November 3rd. Detroit we can’t afford Proposal S right now so let’s vote no. Well it is true that Proposal S won’t increase our current taxes but as of right now, look around your communities Detroit and if you have stayed in that area for as long as I have stayed in my childhood community than you know that many of the vacant lots and abandon houses you see used to be places where people used to live. Therefore Detroit vote no on Proposal S because we can’t afford it and there are too many unknowns regarding who will get the jobs that the proposal will create.
DETROIT VOTE NO on PROPOSAL S!
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