Novi board votes to place $425 million school bond on Nov. 4 ballot with no tax increase

The Novi Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to place a $425 million bond proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot and approved the ballot language that will appear to voters.

District leaders said the bond would pay for a multi-year facilities program centered on a large-scale renovation and additions at Novi High School, activity and performing-arts facilities, and upgrades at K–8 schools. "This is a $425,000,000 program," Superintendent Mica said during the board presentation, and he emphasized the package would be proposed with "a 0 mill increase" to the current tax levy.

The proposal, which the board approved by roll call after a motion from Trustee Mishner and a second from Trustee Beaudoin, lays out a roughly six- to eight-year construction program. Mica told the board the plan would start with a new activity center at the high school and that "every student will be impacted within the first 2 years" if the bond passes.

Why it matters: The bond would fund projects that district leaders described as addressing aging infrastructure and improving academic, extracurricular and community spaces. District materials shown to the board break the program into major areas with dollar amounts: about $121 million for high school academic areas, $108 million for activities (including a natatorium, four full-size courts, a 300-meter indoor track and indoor turf), and $90 million for K–8 improvements, among other items the presentation listed.

Board and staff described several specific elements that would be part of the high school work: a new northern "innovation hub" addition to allow renovations of older interior sections, a new activity center on the east side of the campus, a reimagined performing-arts entrance and upgraded band and orchestra spaces, and a north–south atrium to improve circulation and daylighting. The district also outlined exterior improvements including a new tennis facility (already under construction), future phases for baseball and softball, and work on the stadium turf and systems.

During discussion Trustee Mishner asked about the cost of building a new school versus renovating the existing structure; district consultants told the board that building an equivalent new high school would cost roughly $600 million under current market conditions, and that using the existing structure lowers the price. Board members also emphasized the package was designed to be fiscally comprehensive so the district could avoid repeated piecemeal projects.

The board approved the resolution calling for the election by roll call (Beaudoin, Cook, Mena, Michener, Roni and Ruskin recorded "yes"). The motion was recorded as "adopt the ratifying resolution about ballot language as presented," moved by Trustee Mishner and supported by Trustee Beaudoin; the vote passed 6–0.

Next steps: With the board action, the district will finalize ballot materials and continue community outreach and town halls, then the issue will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot if filing and municipal deadlines are met. District leaders outlined a projected 6–8 year construction timeline but said initial work would begin at the high school and that many students would feel an impact within two years of passage.

Notes: The board presentation and slides described the program at a high level and the district said full slides and supplemental materials would be available to the public.