If approved by voters, it is estimated the current debt millage rate of 7.0 mills would not change. The 7.0 mills would be extended further into the future until 2034, and then decline due to bond repayments and taxable value growth. 

This bond proposal addresses the highest priority projects & focuses on three key areas:

• Safety and Security 

• New Junior High

• Aging Buildings, Systems and Sites

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment, and other capital needs. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and must be audited by an independent auditing firm. 

How has the school district prepared its finances in anticipation of the bond election? 

Over the past 17 years, Clarkston Community Schools has saved school district taxpayers over $30 million in interest costs on bonds and projected interest cost avoidance on loans through refinancing.  

Most recently this spring, Clarkston Community Schools and the Board of Education reported the district saved taxpayers $4,029,346. This savings results from the successful sale of approximately $54 million of refunding bonds to refinance outstanding bonds, originally issued in 2016 to finance school building and site improvements throughout the district. Seventeen different financial institutions purchased the new bonds at an average interest rate of 2.854% compared to the initial rate of 5%. The transaction also shortened the repayment term by four years, ending in 2025 versus 2029.

Earlier this year, Moody’s Investors Service assigned an A1 underlying rating and an Aa1 enhanced rating to Clarkston Community Schools. You can learn more by reviewing the full Moody’s release.

While funding from this bond proposal is independent of district’s general fund operating budget, the bond would likely have a positive impact on the district’s general fund by allowing the district to reallocate operating funds that are currently being spent on aging facilities and mechanical systems. The operational savings generated from new and cost-efficient facilities could be redirected to student programs and resources. 

Here is a list of neighboring districts in Oakland and Genesee Counties with similar size bond proposals that were approved by their voters from 2018-2022.

Michigan law requires that expenditure of bond proceeds be audited. The bond proceeds can only be spent for purposes approved by the voters. The bond cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses. An audit would be completed at the end of each series to ensure compliance. 

On the July 1, 2023 property tax bill.

Yes, businesses and second homes (non-homestead) and primary homes (homestead) are treated the same regarding bond millage. All properties are assessed for debt millage based on their taxable value.

No. School districts are not allowed to use funds from a bond for operating expenses such as teacher, administrator or employee salaries, routine maintenance, or operating costs. Bond proceeds can only be spent for purposes approved by the voters. Bond revenue must be kept separate from operating funds and expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.  
 

Every bond construction fund is required to have an independent audit, per Bulletin 7 and Public Act 451 of 1976 of the Revised School Code, effective May 12, 2014 (revised September 12, 2017.) The objective of the audit is to determine if the bond proceeds have been expended consistent  with the stated purposes for which the bonds were authorized by the voters. 

The audit must be performed by an independent CPA, licensed with the Michigan State Board of Accountancy, and comply with generally accepted auditing standards as adopted by the American Institute of CPAs. A bond construction fund audit report is required after construction is completed as determined by a Certificate of Substantial Completion. This report is for the entire construction period, from the sale of the bond issue or the beginning of the project (whichever is earlier) through completion, and must include all activity in the fund for that period.

If approved by voters, the district’s Architect/Engineer would design the proposed projects and prepare construction documents and specifications for the projects. Once the projects are designed, the district’s Construction Manager will assemble bid packages and publicly advertise to solicit competitive bids for all work. This is required by law, as outlined in the Revised School Code. This process ensures that the district selects the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. All qualified contractors will have an opportunity to attend a pre-bid meeting to obtain additional information and project clarification. All qualified contractors will have the opportunity to participate in the competitive bid process. 

Each project will be required to be submitted to both the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) and the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) for both plan review and permitting. These agencies will review the projects to ensure they comply with applicable codes, before any building permits are issued. Building plans and specifications must be signed and sealed by a Licensed Architect/Professional Engineer before submission. As of March 21, 2019, Michigan law requires school districts to consult on the plans for the construction or major renovation regarding school safety issues with the law enforcement agency that is the first responder for that school building. This consultation would happen after a bond proposal has been approved by voters, before construction documents are finalized prior to project commencement.

Visit Michigan.gov/vote to register to vote online. It is recommended by the Secretary of State to register by mail by October 24, 2022 to participate in the November 8, 2022 election. Individuals may also register in-person at their local clerk’s office through November 8, 2022, with the required documentation. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote.

Owners of property are only eligible to vote if they reside in the school district boundaries. To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

• A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
• A United States citizen
• At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
• Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Yes, if you rent a house you can still vote. You must be a registered voter in the city or township you are living in and live within the school district’s boundaries.

Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive their absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then return it to your local clerk. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote. When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.  

If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available to the general public starting September 29 through election day, November 8, 2022.

• Registering to vote: 

  • The last day for voters to register by mail is October 24, 2022

  • Voters may register in-person through November 8, 2022 (election day) with the required documentation 
     

• Absentee Voting:  

  • Absentee voter ballots are available from September 29 until November 8, 2022

  • Contact your local clerk with questions
     

• Attend a public information community forum:

  • A public forum will be held this spring. Date and time to be determined.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is election day, but absentee voting can occur leading up to that date. All registered voters may cast an absentee voter ballot by mail. Voters may also cast a ballot at the polling location established by their city/township. If you have questions or do not know where you vote, please contact your city/township office. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Improving air quality can be accomplished by upgrading or replacing parts of mechanical systems to improve ventilation, filtration, and purification. Increased ventilation provides more fresh air to your indoor spaces. Filtration systems help capture airborne contaminants. Air purification systems, such as Bipolar Ionization or Ultraviolet Light (UV) can be added to air handling equipment to help reduce contaminants in the airstream. If the bond is approved by voters, the district will work with our architecture and engineering team to determine appropriate solutions that will improve indoor air quality and heating, and add air conditioning to learning spaces throughout the District.

Clarkston Junior High School was constructed 63 years ago. Educational design has evolved over the decades, however, CJHS classrooms have not. While the building has been well maintained, these classrooms have not seen major renovations in many years, with the exception of the auditorium, and several building

systems are failing. The proposed new building would have enlarged classrooms to support collaborative and innovative teaching and learning styles to prepare students for success beyond the classroom.

After considerable research and review, it was determined that renovating the existing building would not fully address all infrastructure and educational program issues. The cost to renovate the existing Junior High would approach the replacement cost due to the age of the building and existing infrastructure needs, including underground systems. 

 Highlights of the proposed Junior High include:  

• Larger classrooms to support innovative and collaborative learning

• Improved building efficiency and operational costs

• Improved ADA accessibility and compliance

• Fine and performing arts improvements

• Athletic improvements

• Vehicle traffic flow would be improved

• The current auditorium and construction trades area would remain and receive updates

• Classroom furniture purchased with 2016 bond dollars would be reused in the new building

The project will require multiple phases to allow the existing building to be occupied and remain safe for staff and students.  There will be fencing around the construction site and there will be one hour fire rated wall separation built between construction zones and occupied zones within the building.  Egress from the building, emergency lighting, fire alarm, and other critical systems will be maintained throughout construction.  Any impact to the function of the occupied spaces will be scheduled during off hours or during the summer. In addition, the entire plan must be approved and will be closely monitored by the State Fire Marshal.

Building access control systems are a way to ensure only authorized people are able to enter a building with keycards, and adds an additional layer of security. If the bond is approved by voters, additional keycard readers would be added throughout the district to increase controlled entry.

Contact Dr. Shawn Ryan, Superintendent at (248)623-5408 or spryan@clarkston.k12.mi.us
 

If the bond is not approved by voters, the decrease in taxes would not start until 2025 when it would drop into the 6 mill range. From there it would gradually drop through 2042.