WBS may go to voters again for sinking fund levy

In the wake of district voters in November rejecting a proposed building and site sinking fund millage, the West Bloomfield School District will look to address options on how to fund facility and building upgrades and repairs when its Finance Committee meets on Monday, Dec. 10.

The committee will then present its findings to the West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education at its next meeting, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 17.

The district has been looking over its options after district voters shot down a proposed 1.5-mill building and site sinking fund millage during the Tuesday, Nov. 6 general election.

On Nov. 19, the board tabled an agenda item proposing potential dates of Feb. 26, 2013 and May 7, 2013 for a special election to have a building and sinking site fund millage put before voters again, but in a different amount.

West Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Gerald Hill said that a special election is one of three options the Finance Committee will consider on Monday, along with the possibly of selling more bonds, as well as using the district’s general fund money to pay for the most urgent repairs.

When asked about the need for a possible special election after the original proposed millage was voted down, Hill said that he believes the district would have more time to get the message out a second time around.

“The millage was defeated, but a lot of voters weren’t as informed as we would have liked and we can reach more voters,” he said. “Plus, the (general election) ballot had so many propositions at the state level, I think that had an impact.

“We know the estimated costs for improvements and how much a millage would generate. It’s just a matter of the right millage amount to address critical needs.”

He also said that it would cost around $40,000 for a special election to be held next year.

Hill also said that the district will consider selling more bonds and added that the district’s outstanding indebtedness is approximately $100 million.

The third option would be to delay some repairs as much as possible and use the district’s general fund money in order to address critical repair needs.

The district’s Finance Committee consists of Hill, Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations Tom Goulding, school board Trustees Matt Chase and Nelson Hersh, and district administration members and community members.