Farmington Schools Bond Prioritizes 'Urgent' Needs

Farmington Public Schools officials hope that paring down the amount and giving voters more choices will lead to a better result with their second attempt at a capital bond referendum. 

A $222 million referendum on the Aug. 6 ballot failed by more than 950 votes. Afterward, officials conducted an online survey, met with two committees involved in planning the referendum and with groups of "no" voters, to determine how to re-frame the question.

Ultimately, school board members on Aug. 27 approved a plan that reduced the overall request by $31.7 million and split the bond into two parts.

Supt. Sue Zurvalec said the 3-week turnaround communicates the urgency of the need to fund building and site repairs. 

"Proposal 1, in particular, is urgent," she said. "It's critical."

Prioritized by the two committees – a visioning group and one that worked on financing capital needs – Proposal 1 includes construction of secure entrances, remodeling of classrooms and media centers, replacement of aging infrastructure and the purchase of technology including devices, interactive white boards and improvements to the district's wireless network. Improvements will be made to all of the district's K-12 schools. 

Proposal 2, which won't be enacted unless Proposal 1 also passes, would remodel high school auditoriums, replace artificial turf on football fields, and track and tennis court surfaces, and provide for a "refresh" of electronic devices and other technology needs. 

Facilities director Jon Riebe said there is no time frame for addressing needs that were cut out out of the original bond proposal. Those include upgrades to high school cafeterias and commons areas, construction of a swimming pool at Harrison High and a North Farmington locker room addition. 

Modifications also include a $4.1 million reduction in furnishings, largely from the decision to remove cafeteria and commons remodeling from the plan. In addition, Riebe said, "more traditional" furniture is being proposed for K-6 buildings.

The previous plan included more flexible, comfortable furnishings for classrooms redesigned as "Learning Studios". In materials posted on the district's website, classroom renovations are described as ensuring all classrooms meet a "common standard" with lighting, heating and cooling, sound systems, technology and other items. 

"The proposal still holds true to the original committees' work," Riebe said. 

Editor's note: This is first in a series of articles on the Farmington Public Schools November bond election. To weigh in on this issue, leave a comment below or participate in our "What's the Future of Farmington Public Schools" open blog. Information about the proposal elements is posted at http://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/bond_nov_2013.php.