Farmington Schools Volunteer, Parent Says She'll Vote 'No' on Bond

Read more Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch coverage of the Aug. 6 bond election. 

Farmington Hills resident Angie Smith says she worked hard to help pass a 2004 Farmington Public Schools bond referendum. But when it comes to the $220 million bond issue on the ballot August 6, she's voting no. 

If the measure passes, officials say they will used the funds for improvements to security, technology and learning spaces across all K-12 buildings, along with replacement of artificial turf on high school athletic fields and construction of a new pool at Harrison High. 

Smith has spent the past 15 years as a Farmington Public Schools parent, volunteer and now a contracted employee. She calls district staff and students "Farmington's finest" and has high overall regard for the district. 

However, she said, officials have taken actions that eroded her trust, and a run for school board "made me look at things from a different perspective."

"I just don't drink the Kool-Aid any more," she said.

Among other issues, Smith believes Superintendent Susan Zurvalec and current board members are not as visible in school buildings as leaders were in the past. With the exception of George Gurrola, she pointed out, school board members no longer have children in the district. 

"I think they've lost touch," she said. "I know we've got to knock on those doors in Lansing (to advocate for more state funding), but it is your problem when you've got six assistant superintendents and your superintendent is making top dollar." 

According to a current administration chart, the district has two associate and one assistant superintendent, and about 20 director or supervisor level positions. Associate Superintendent for Instructional Support Services David Ruhland recently resigned, and Zurvalec has indicated he will be replaced. 

Zurvalec's salary has drawn public criticism; she is the fifth highest compensated school district administrator in Michigan. 

Smith said she also has trouble trusting officials because one of the things she believed would come out of the 2004 bond referendum was that marching band students would be practicing on newly restored football fields. Instead, she said, Farmington High students are still practicing in the parking lot, while the district is allowing use of the fields by other schools. 

She also doesn't understand why officials are focused on creating new classrooms when they're laying off staff, and larger class sizes with fewer para-pros to help students who have special needs are making teaching more difficult. 

"If they could prove to me these fields will not be used by other districts, if they could prove to me that those classrooms will not be filled to capacity and kids will get the equipment they need and teachers won't be losing their jobs," she said, "I'll approve that bond." 

Smith is also concerned about the financial burden, which she said has been compared to a cup of coffee at Starbucks every week. 

"People can't afford Starbucks any more," she said. "People are tired of being taxed out of our homes."

Next: A Farmington city council member talks about why he plans to vote against the millage.