Berkley, Clawson school officials put bond questions before voters

May 08, 2024

Voters will head to the polls in three local communities to decide school funding issues in two local communities.

In Berkley, an $88 million school bond millage will be on the ballot.

If approved, the estimated millage in 2024 would be 3.05 mills ($3.05 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation), a 2.25-mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.

The maximum number of years on the bonds is 25 years. The estimated average annual millage required to retire the bond debt is 3.61 mills.

The $88 million in funding would complete furniture replacement in every building and replacement of the Berkley High School science lab, purchasing and installing interactive screens to replace projectors in all classrooms, K-12 and districtwide computer network updates and a new phone system and new staff computers.

The performing arts center would also get a face-lift with new seating, acoustics, lighting, sound system, booth controls at floor level and a mechanical curtain system.

A new multi-purpose field house would be built on the Catalpa field across from the high school and include indoor turf, a divider system so groups using the field house simultaneously could be separated, restrooms, robotics rooms, practice spaces and multi-use spaces.

There would be new team rooms for visiting and home teams, LED lighting and expanded parking at Hurley Field and updates for all elementary and middle schools gymnasiums.

At an estimated $49.5 million, Berkley High School would receive most of the bond money.

Improvements at the high school include pool updates and repairs, including new starting blocks, tiles, sound system, chemical systems and upgraded office area.

The high school would get new computers, interactive monitors, wireless microphones and additional technology. There would also be upgrades to all band and orchestra rooms.

“The 2023 Bond would touch every K-12 classroom, many of our community spaces, and provide the opportunity for a full upgrade to our student and staff daily experiences,” Superintendent Scott Francis said on the district website. “The 2023 Bond is structured around completing the recommended work from the 2014 facilities study as well as addressing new needs identified since that report was completed.”

Clawson voters will be asked to consider a zero-mill increase for a bond issue that would generate $25.5 million.

The estimated millage to pay the proposed bonds in the first year, 2024, is zero-mills for a zero-mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years on the bonds is 30 years and the estimated average annual millage required to retire the bonds is 2.56 mills annually ($2.56 per $1,000 of taxable value).

If approved, bond funds would pay for the complete replacement of exterior and interior doors with security upgrades districtwide. The district would also expand and remodel the entrance to Clawson High School.

Media centers throughout the district would be remodeled and locker rooms at the high school renovated, parking lots at Kenwood Elementary improved, and perimeter fencing installed on the main campus.

It would pay for the demolition of Schalm Elementary and the Baker Center, in preparation of potential sale of property.

In 2021, the district received approval for a $55 million, zero-mill bond, but more work is still needed.

Work completed with that bond included a new two-story, 18-classroom middle school building and 30 renovated classrooms in elementary schools.

“Unprecedented inflation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and other market conditions led to cost increases that were beyond typical economic projections,” said Billy Shellenbarger, Clawson superintendent in a statement on the district’s website. “These cost escalations resulted in a budget shortfall which required the 2021 Bond to be completed with a strategically reduced scope. If voters approve the bond on August 8, the transition to these projects will be seamless as construction is already underway from the 2021 bond.”

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