Hazel Park Schools Bond Information

Election Day is Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available after March 28, 2024. Starting April 23, 2024, voters may cast a ballot at their assigned early voting site(s). They can look up their assigned early voting site(s) up to 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote.

On the ballot is a $150 million school improvement bond proposal to be used for provide building & site improvements.

The bonds will be sold in three series. Selling bonds in series reduces interest costs and overall cost of the financing or the school district.

The first series of the bond will address major facility needs, including safety and security enhancements and infrastructure improvements (heating, cooling, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing). The next two series of improvements will focus on updating aging facilities as well as constructing a new K-5 elementary building. (see the Summary of Proposed Projects above for more details)

This bond proposal will extend the current millage for the entirety of the bond proposal, resulting in a net zero mill increase from the current levy. Additionally, as part of this bond proposal the millage be reduced to 13.63 mills in 2025 as illustrated in the chart below: 

Every project in the bond proposal has been reviewed and approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury. All renovations and upgrades must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and State of Michigan building codes. Bond proposal funds must be used only for purposes allowed by Michigan law and the ballot language. All project expenditures must be independently audited annually

The school district completed an internal review of all school facilities as part of the school district‘s 3 to 5-year facility planning process. Following the internal review, an initial project list was developed.

After the internal review, school officials worked with architectural and construction management specialists to finalize the list of bond proposal projects to be addressed. Due to the age of school facilities, the cost of the initial project list totaled over $300 million. Not wanting to bring a bond proposal to the community that required a millage increase, the project list was narrowed down to first address priority needs such as safety, security, and infrastructure issues.

All projects to be funded in this bond proposal fall into the following four categories:

1. Enhancing safety and security 
2. Remodeling classrooms to improve the learning environment  
3. Updating mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems
4. Improving building exteriors/school sites

Due to its operational age, the renovation of Webster Early Childhood Center is more costly as compared to constructing a new building. Building a new facility will extend the building life expectancy for the school district and lower the lifetime operational costs with a more energy efficient building. A new building will be designed with learning spaces that meet today’s educational needs of students and include up-to-date safety and security features.

If voters approve the bond proposal, a building planning committee will be established that includes parent and staff representatives.

Hoover Elementary School will be the new site for early childhood services. This site was selected due to the size of the classrooms and the fact that many classrooms rooms also have restrooms attached.

No. Bond proposal funds cannot be used for employee salaries. They also cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses. Bond proposal funds must be used only for purposes specified by law and in the ballot language. As required by state law, they must be independently audited.

Here is the exact ballot wording:

Hazel Park City School District
County of Oakland
State of Michigan

School Improvement Bonding Proposal

Shall Hazel Park City School District, Oakland County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:

Constructing, equipping and furnishing a new school building, erecting, furnishing and equipping additions to and partially remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, equipping and re-equipping school facilities; acquiring, installing, and equipping instructional technology for school facilities; constructing, equipping, developing and improving athletic facilities, playgrounds and play fields; and developing and improving sites.

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024, is 5.65 mills ($5.65 on each estimated $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is thirty (30) years. The estimated simple average millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 9.42 mills ($9.42 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

The School District expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $3,384,559 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $1,255,255. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 11 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 13 mills ($13 per $1,000 of taxable value). The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $31,890,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $0.00.

Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.

Residents of Hazel Park Schools who will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day and are registered to vote can vote in this election.

Go to the Michigan Voter Information website (www.michigan.gov/vote) or call your local clerk’s office.

Do I need to update my voter registration?

You need to update your voter registration if you have changed your name or address since the last time you voted. You can do this at any Secretary of State Office or your local clerk’s office.

Can I vote by absentee ballot? Yes. Registered voters do not need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. You can request an absentee ballot application from your clerk’s office or by going online to www.michigan.gov/vote and clicking on Absentee Voting in the left column.

Absentee ballots will be available to voters after March 28 and can be cast through election day or participate in early voting on April 23. 

Application for Preliminary Qualification of Bonds

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