$71 Million Novi School Bond Issue: Election Results

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, voters have given Novi Public Schools the go-ahead to issue $71 million in bonds to improve district facilities and finance other upgrades.

Voters approved the proposal by a margin of 72 percent to 28 percent, according to unofficial election results. A total of 3,082 ballots were cast in the election.

Improvements to be covered with the nearly $71 million bond issue include the construction of a new early childhood center.

School officials say the bond sissue won’t increase the district’s millage rate, due mostly to an increasing tax base in Novi, upcoming declining debt obligations and a plan that would issue the bond in two series, 2014 and 2017.

The projects, which would be completed through the year 2020, include:

• $25,121,000 in technology and security, furniture and bus upgrades

• $15,154,000 to expand and build new classrooms

Novi Superintendent Steve Matthews told the Detroit Free Press the district isn’t asking voters ot approve anything that isn’t necessary.

“We’re asking them to continue to maintain our buildings at a level our community expects and provide the education that our kids need,” he said.

Issuing the bonds in two series is “the best way for us to generate revenue to do needed projects in the district, but not ask taxpayers to pay a rate higher than they’re currently paying,” Matthews said.