Farmington Schools Voters Not Alone in Facing August Millage Vote

On Aug. 6, Farmington school district voters will decide whether to approve a $222 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.

Today, take a look at proposed referendums in other communities: 

Farmington Public Schools voters are not alone in facing a millage request this year, and neighbors are split between August and November election dates. 
Lake Orion school district residents will in August decide on two millage proposals that would fund facilities, technology and safety and security improvements. A 1.15 mill proposal would generate more than $28 million to meet facilities needs deemed critical, and a .18 mill proposal would cover optional items like high school and middle school athletic facilities upgrades. 

Also in August, South Redford school district voters will decide the fate of a 2-mill building and site sinking fund. The district would receive more than $967,000 annually over 10 years for building and site repairs, security and energy efficiency improvements. 
Dearborn Public Schools board members initially considered an August date for their proposed $76 million referendum, but voted to hold it in November, "to give district officials more time to meet with residents and garner feedback about the bond," Dearborn Patch reports. Funds will be used for security improvements, building repairs and modifications, buses and technology. 

Mixed results with election timing 

While Farmington school bond critics have suggested that the August date ensures a low voter turnout, that has not always been the case, officials say. An election history provided by the district showed that since 1997, the highest turnouts for operating and bond millage elections have come in August 2004 and 2010. Both were also primary elections, with other questions on the ballot. 

The lowest voter turnout was recorded in September of 1988, when a bond for a new elementary school and early childhood center failed, with just 2,546 ballots cast.

In other districts, election timing also shows mixed results. 

West Bloomfield School District voters defeated a 10-year, 1.5 millage proposal last November, while Walled Lake Consolidated Schools voters gave overwhelming approval to renewing a .5-mill sinking fund levy that now generates dollars for building and facility needs. (West Bloomfield voters in May approved a 14-year, 1.25 mill request, by just 190 votes.)

Walled Lake Superintendent Kenneth Gutman said in a June podcast that the district will ask voters this November for "less than one mill" to meet safety, security and technology needs. He noted officials made $10 million in reductions to balance the 2013-2014 budget.

The district also closed two elementary schools at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. 

Coming Tuesday: How will Farmington Schools spend $222 million? 

Read more:

• See How Farmington School Officials Will Ask for $222 Million
• Committees Pave the Way for Farmington Schools Bond Referendum