Farmington School Bond Proceeds Would Improve Aging Buildings

On Aug. 6, Farmington school district voters will decide whether to approve a $220 million bond for improvements and repairs touching every building in the district. Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch looks at how we got here, what's on the ballot, what's happening in neighboring districts and what officials plan to do with all that money.

This installment begins a review of how bond proceeds would be spent. We'll start by looking at the district's aging infrastructure. 

Farmington High School celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, in a 60-year-old building. 
The oldest Farmington Public Schools (FPS) facility would receive upgrades to everything from student lockers and restrooms to a new roof and infrastructure, if voters approve a $220 million referendum Aug. 6. 
FPS facilities director Jon Riebe said just under a quarter of the funds would address infrastructure needs across the district, which grow every year. The "youngest" K-12 building, Hillside Elementary, is 23 years old. Most buildings are in the 40-55-year-old range. 
"We have on-going plumbing, electrical and roofing issues," Riebe said. "We battle these on a daily basis." 

Those issues affect the district's budget; officials allocate $2 million annually from operating funds to deal with building and site issues. Upgrades would put more dollars back into the classroom, Riebe said.

More importantly, school and community relations director Diane Bauman said, "We have lost instructional time with our students." That happened in 2012, when a water main break temporarily closed Kenbrook Elementary School, which is 55 years old. 
Signs in each of the district's K-12 buildings show the improvements proposed for each school if the referendum passes. The vast majority will receive flooring, restroom, mechanical, fire alarm, public address and clock system upgrades, concrete curb and sidewalk replacement, and generator hook-ups. 
Anyone interested in learning more about specific plans for each building will find informational sheets posted at the bottom of the bond information page on the district's website.

Most money spent on high school projects

About half of the bond dollars will be spent at the district's three high schools, 38 percent in K-6 buildings, 12 percent in middle schools and less than one percent at the Lewis Schulmann Administration Building, the Ten Mile Building, and transportation and maintenance facilities, Riebe said. 
Just eight percent of bond funds will be spent on security, which includes customized modifications to each building that will require visitors to come in through vestibules that go directly into the main office. Bauman said technology, including a "panic button" that would lock down the building and contact police, is part of the proposal.

So are security cameras that would monitor hallways and other common areas. Superintendent Susan Zurvalec said the cameras would not be used in classrooms, and the district will balance the need for security with ensuring students' civil rights are not violated. 

The new measures will add "an extra layer of security" for adults and children, Bauman said. After a gunman killed 26 adults and children at an elementary school in Newton, CT, the district has locked front doors and local police have been more present around local schools. 

"Sandy Hook really changed the landscape for safety and security," she added.
Coming Thursday: Read why plans include new athletic fields, performing arts space upgrades and a natatorium at Harrison High.