Detroit voters approve $500 million school bond

Marisa Schultz / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Proposal S, the city school district's $500.5 million bond proposal, got the nod tonight from the majority of Detroit voters.

The measure, which passed 84,178-32,606, allows for the construction of eight new schools and the renovation of 10 others. It would be financed through zero- and no-interest loans under two federal stimulus programs.

The successful bond measure, which was pushed by Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb, comes at the same time as Bobb investigates mismanagement and overspending of millions of the previous 1994 $1.5 billion bond measure. He's pledged this bond money will have layers of oversight to ensure it is wisely spent.

The passage of Proposal S will mean DPS children can be educated in state-of-the-art schools, Bobb said Tuesday night. It's also a win for the city of Detroit as the projects will create nearly 11,000 direct and indirect jobs and will mark the largest public works project in the city of Detroit, Bobb has said.

Shelli Paige, 33, cast her vote in favor of new schools Tuesday.

"At least they are not moving the schools," said Paige, referring to the schools slated to get a makeover under the plan. "They are tearing down and rebuilding on the same property. That's the most important part, so it won't be another abandoned building in Detroit."

Paige also said she's bringing her children back to DPS from a charter school in Southfield because of her faith in the district.

"Next year when the kids get ready for school, they are going to be in a DPS school," said Paige, a mother of four. "I believe in our school system."

The plan will not raise taxes but extend the current tax rate from the previous $1.5 billion bond for six more years, according to DPS. The tax rate from the 1994 bond was slated to begin decreasing in 2011 until it fully expired in 2033. Under Proposal S, the 13-mill tax rate will now remain in effect until 2039.

The $500 million will be funded through loans from the federal stimulus program, about half of which will be paid back with a zero percent rate and the other at a low-interest rate. Construction must take place within three years under the terms of the stimulus program.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, called Proposal S "the most important issue on the ballot."

"If we want to improve the kids' education, we need not only the continuation of the millage but we also need more money to do more things," Conyers said Tuesday at Barbara Jordan Elementary. Proposal S gained the support of Mayor Dave Bing and City Council, but the DPS School Board opposed the measure.

"They are trying to make people think they are going to repair schools, build new schools, when in fact they are going to put the voters in more debt and increase their property taxes," said school board member Reverend David Murray.

In the Detroit school board election, two incumbents -- Murray and Ida Short -- reclaimed their positions, while two others --Marie Thornton and Margaret Betts -- lost their spots.

Former state Rep. LaMar Lemmons netted the most votes, followed by Short, Murray and Carol Banks, a policy analyst for City Council. The four will fill four-year terms, which offer no salary but a $30 stipend for meetings.

"It's always humbling when the citizens vest trust in you and your leadership," Lemmons said

mschultz@detnews.com (313) 222-2310