Will Opposing Sides of BHS High School Millage Debate?

Proponents and opponents of the Bloomfield Hills Schools' $58 million bond request to unify  and high schools under one roof are organizing informational meetings to muster support. But will the leaders of either camp have a public debate before the May 8 vote?

Yes, if Bloomfield 20/20 spokeswoman Jenny Greenwell has anything to say about it. The Bloomfield Township resident and Patch blogger weekend formally challenged Superintendent Rob Glass and/or the leadership of citizens group One Bloomfield United to debate the merits of the controversial ballot proposal.

"I believe that an open and honest debate of this issue is in the best interests of taxpayers and students of the BHSD," Greenwell wrote in an email distributed to local media and others.

Greenwell said the debate can be held at the Doyle center for Professional Development, the building where the Board of Education meets and will house new administrative offices after renovations.

She also suggested leaders from civic bodies, such as the United Home Owners Association or League of Women Voters moderate the event. She gave no timeline for a response but said she would prefer to have it done by April 13.

The district is aware of the challenge but may be limited in its response, spokeswoman Shira Good said.

"We’re the factual party in this process," Good said. "We must legally remain factual. So, it would be a very unfair debate, should a district representative engage in such an event."

Officials with Bloomfield United, the grassroots citizens group that supports the district's proposal, declined and issued a written statement.

"Thank you for the offer to debate, but we feel that based on the number of town hall meetings and follow-up meetings by Rob Glass, as well as the many opportunities for community input over the past year, there is no need to debate the issue further," the statement read.

The organization will continue to provide information through its website and community events through the election.

"We feel the communication by the district has been thorough and honest and believe the community will make the right decision by voting YES on May 8th," the statement said.

For more coverage of the consolidation process visit Patch's High School Consolidation in Bloomfield Hills topic page.