Residents have two opportunities next week to learn more about a citizens committee recommendation on Dearborn Public Schools infrastructure and a possible bond question.
The Vision for Infrastructure and Planning (VIP) Committee will present its recommendation to the Board of Education during a special meeting on Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m. The next day, Thursday, March 24, the district will host a special Infrastructure Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. to provide more information and to answer questions.
Both meetings will be shown live on the district’s YouTube channel, Comcast channel 19 and on Facebook. Residents can also attend the Board meeting in person at the district’s Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette St., Dearborn. Those participating in the Town Hall can submit questions in advance or during the meeting via this Google Form.
The VIP Committee met six times from January to March to learn about infrastructure, safety and technology needs in the district and about school finances and more. Committee members used one meeting to tour a few schools to get a sampling of the infrastructure issues facing the district. Forty four people were invited to serve on the committee after more than 70 people asked to be on the committee in December.
At the group’s last meeting on March 10, committee members considered various recommendations for how the district should prioritize infrastructure needs and how to finance the work. The district has been considering placing a bond question on the November 2022 ballot. The Board of Education will make any final decisions about a bond and spending priorities, but Board members will consider the committee’s recommendations.
Dearborn Public Schools has 37 schools and 35 buildings totalling more than 3.2 million square feet. Because of the size of the district, the volunteer committee could not consider individual projects in each building but was asked to provide a general approach to how the district should tackle its infrastructure needs. Michigan Leadership Institute oversaw the committee meetings and the selection of committee members.
“I want to thank everyone who served on the committee for the many hours they put into this effort and for stepping up to represent citizens in our community. We truly appreciate your assistance and your perspective as the district considers its infrastructure needs,” said Superintendent Glenn Maleyko.