In a groundbreaking move, Dearborn public schools are poised to undergo substantial improvements following the approval of a massive $1.5 billion millage. This decision marks one of the most significant funding efforts in the history of the state, addressing a long-standing issue of underinvestment in school infrastructure over the past two decades.
The newly secured funds are earmarked for building six new facilities and conducting extensive renovations across the district. Superintendent Mike Esseily emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Tuesday was a statement about who we are as a community and what we believe our children deserve. We are not just building and improving schools. We are building opportunities for generations of children to come.”
This ambitious project will unfold in four phases over the next 20 years. The initial phase will kick off next year, focusing on the most pressing infrastructure needs. Part of the plan includes closing several older elementary and middle schools, with students transitioning to newly consolidated pre-K through 8th-grade facilities. These new schools will feature separate wings for elementary and middle school students while sharing common spaces like gyms and cafeterias.
Esseily highlighted that the bond’s scale enables the district to plan for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. “I’m hoping we’re not asking anything of the community for another 50, 60 years,” he said. “We want this bond to last generations of students to come.”
Tax implications for residents will be balanced by reductions in other areas. Homeowners within the district, which includes most of Dearborn and part of Dearborn Heights, will see a 3.14 mill assessment ($314 per $100,000 of taxable value) for the bond. However, a sewer-related tax will decrease by 0.96 mills, and the district will waive an operating millage of 2.18 mills to help offset costs. The city plans to gradually increase the tax assessment for the school bond as other taxes are phased out. More details on these changes can be found here.
Previously, in 2019, the district proposed a $240 million bond for infrastructure, which was only half of the needed renovations, as noted by School Board Trustee Adel Mozip. That proposal was narrowly defeated, prompting a reassessment of community needs and resulting in the current, more comprehensive proposal. “Losing [the 2019 millage] was a blessing in disguise,” Mozip remarked. “We needed a transformational bond where we actually want to rebuild from the beginning and offer these transformational spaces for our kids.”
The recent millage passed with 68% approval, according to unofficial results released by Wayne County. Don Wotruba, executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, noted that voter support for such a large proposal reflects confidence in the district’s vision. “Voters said, ‘I clearly understand what Dearborn is asking for … and if this is what the need is, we’re going to support that,” he stated. Despite this success, Wotruba does not foresee another billion-dollar bond appearing on the ballot soon.
This significant investment is not only a stride towards future development but also a remedy for years of limited financial commitment by Dearborn Public Schools. “If you go back and look at their previous bond issues,” Wotruba added, “they haven’t done much.”
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