More Bond Information

Why is this proposal important now?

The last major district-wide facility improvement program was over 20 YEARS AGO* (1995)

• Facilities and infrastructure wear out over time and need periodic rehabilitation and renewal in order to maintain environments that provide students a comfortable, safe and quality learning experience
• Excellent financing options and a competitive bidding environment means now is the ideal time to make critical upgrades and learning space improvements

* In 2001, the Berkley Schools community approved a bond that added major improvements to BHS and Hurley Field, with technology and minor updates to all other schools.

New classroom technology and data infrastructure will provide students the tools they need to COMPETE and SUCCEED on the global stage

• Providing high-speed internet access and rich multimedia content to over 200 classrooms requires a robust, adaptable technology network
• Interactive classroom technology provides students of all ages the opportunity to learn through participation and creation of their own content
• Supports creative, collaborative and comprehensive learning, and individualized programs for acceleration and remediation

Upgraded learning environments will support new methods of TEACHING and LEARNING

• Required work on our aging building systems provides an opportunity to cost-effectively modernize our classrooms at the same time
• Upgraded heating, ventilation and lighting will improve student comfort and reduce distracting noise and glare
• Ample access to teaching and learning technology and flexible furniture to support different teaching and learning styles
• Select renovations and expansions will provide much-needed space for vocal and instrumental music, art and design programs
• Creating space for collaboration will extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom
• Available larger spaces will allow classrooms, resource rooms, and flexible learning areas to move from often undersized rooms

Critical building components and infrastructure are BEYOND THEIR SERVICEABLE LIFE

• Replacing major building components (such as original boilers, lighting and plumbing) with bond dollars protects classroom funding
• Upgrades will save energy, reduce maintenance cost, eliminate outdated, inefficient or obsolete systems that are difficult and costly to repair and extend the life of all buildings
• Upgrades will improve air quality, temperature controls, lighting and acoustics – enhancing student achievement

Crucial improvements will enhance student SAFETY and SECURITY

• Upgrades to our existing building access systems, security cameras and fire alarms will improve campus safety and enhance our current safety programs
• Improvements to main building entries across the district will enhance visual monitoring and control access into our facilities

Informational Meetings

All meetings at 7 pm

Did you miss the Community Information Presentation on February 23?

See the Presentation

Meeting Dates

• February 23: Community Informational Meeting, BHS Auditorium
• March 4: Pattengill Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr
• March 5: Norup Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr
• March 6: Tyndall Info Mtg & Tour, Kiva
• March 10: AMS Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr
• March 11: Rogers Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr
• March 12: BHS Info Mtg & Tour, Collaborative Ctr
• March 16: Angell Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr
• March 18: Burton Info Mtg & Tour, Media Ctr

Ballot Language

May 5, 2015 Election

Exhibit“A” Bonding Proposal

Shall Berkley School District, Oakland County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Fifty-Eight Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($58,950,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefore, for the purpose of:

• Erecting, furnishing and equipping additions to school buildings 
• Remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings
• Acquiring, installing and equipping or re-equipping school buildings for the instructional technology
• Developing and improving sites

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2015 is 3.00 mills ($3.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-five (25) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 4.15 mills ($4.15 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

The school district does not expect to borrow from the State to pay debt service on the bonds. The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $12,100,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is $-0-. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

How much will this proposal cost?

$58,950,000 bond over 25 years 
(See ballot language above for details)

Bond dollars can be used for:

Construction and remodeling of facilities, purchasing technology equipment, equipment and furniture, site improvements.

Bond dollars cannot be used for:

Salaries and wages, general operating expenses and maintenance, classroom supplies or textbooks.

Oakland County School District Homestead Tax Rates