Get the facts on Proposal S

What is Proposal S?
President Obama has made available $500 million to Detroit Public Schools through his economic stimulus packages. The funds would come to DPS in the form of no-interest and low-interest bonds. In fact, $246 million will be repaid at 0% interest. Approval of Proposal S will not require any new taxes. The bonds will be paid off at current tax rates.

Proposal S Means New Schools
Proposal S will allow DPS to build 8 new schools and modernize 10 schools with the next three years. This bond program will move DPS forward in creating 21st century schools, safety and security, and new technologies.

Schools to Be Replaced with New Buildings
The bonds will be used to build four new high schools and four new pre-kindergarten through eighth grade buildings. Finney High School, Chadsey High School, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School and Mumford High school would be housed in brand new buildings. New pre-kindergarten through eighth grade buildings would be built for Brightmoor, Maybury, McNair and Munger PK-8 schools.

Schools to be Completely Renovated
Five other high schools and five PK-8 schools have been designated for complete renovations. High schools to be renovated are Cooley High School. Denby High School, Ford High School, Northwestern High School and Western International High School, PK-8 schools to be renovated are Bethune Academy, Duffield, JR King, Marcus Garvey and Mark Twain.

Proposal S will bring 11,000 jobs
According to state of Michigan’s formula, Proposal S will create nearly 11,000 new jobs. These are jobs that Detroiters need! To make sure that Detroiters get these jobs, the DPS financial manager will enact a First Source program to encourage hiring Detroiters and mentoring and student employment programs to train a new generation of Detroit construction professionals.

If Proposal S is passed, will my taxes increase?
No. If voters approve Proposal S, there would be no tax increase. The current bond repayment millage, which is now scheduled to expire in 2033, would remain at the current level through 2039.

Why can’t we use this $500 million to eliminate DPS’s deficit?
Money from a bond referendum can only be used for capital projects. It cannot be used to reduce debt.

Is there an oversight committee planned for Proposal S?
DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb will establish an oversight committee of respected community leaders that will review every aspect of ongoing construction and funding. The DPS Bond Advisory and Fiscal Responsibility Committee will include parents, political, industry labor and community leaders who are committed to ensuring that the project has proper accountability and oversight.

What about schools that are not on the list?
Savings from the project budgets will be used to support a district-wide security initiative, which will include: interior and exterior digital cameras, updated alarm systems, keyless entry and campus perimeter fencing.

It will also be used for technology upgrades in the classrooms, such as Smartboards and creating access to the Internet.

How were the funds from the 1994 Bond Proposal used?
A full report on the 1994 Bond Proposal and the use of funds is available at www.detroitk12.org/proposals.

What else is the district doing to secure funding?
Detroit Public Schools has aggressively pursued more than $800 million available in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds for K-12 school systems.