DEARBORN, Michigan – The Dearborn Public Schools invites all community members to attend a special informational meeting on either Wednesday, October 15 or Monday, October 20.
The meetings to provide information about the Hold Harmless Millage RENEWAL on the ballot of the upcoming November election will start at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Board Room at the school district’s Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette, Dearborn, 48124.
The Hold Harmless Millage provides approximately $40 million of the district’s $180 million budget. It will expire in the spring of 2015. The district is asking residents to RENEW this millage for another 10 years. This is not an increase or new tax, only a RENEWAL of an existing millage.
The Hold Harmless millage was first approved by voters in 1995 then renewed in 2004. The millage is made up of two parts: 18 mills on business and commercial property, generating $27.8 million and 6.17 mills on homeowners, generating $11.5 million. Combined, the Hold Harmless Millage generates $39.3 million or 22% of the District’s total $178.7 million budget.
Clearly, a 22% reduction in the budget would force the administration and Board of Education to make dramatic reductions across the spectrum of opportunities now offered to students. Services such as busing, programs such as art, music, and sports, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and numerous elective classes would come under scrutiny and might need to be cut or drastically reduced.
Additional information can be found on a special Hold Harmless Renewal website or by calling the Dearborn Public Schools Communications Office at 313-827-3006.