Dearborn schools revisit facilities bond planning, seek public engagement and vendors for historical review

President Justin Mozamb and district staff outlined plans Jan. 13 to restart a community-led, data-driven process toward a potential facilities bond that could appear on a local ballot as soon as November or on a broader ballot next year.

The board was presented background from a long-range facilities needs assessment, engagement work by a citizen VIP committee and Fielding International, the firm hired in fall 2022 that presented findings in May 2023. District staff said they have already invested in building improvements and will now seek outside vendors for community engagement and historical assessment to inform a prospective bond package.

Why it matters: the district said its buildings are aging, community priorities include safety and security and preserving historical building features, and the board faces a decision on timing and scope for a potential ballot measure. Staff described the next phase as moving from broad data to concrete proposals that the public can review and comment on.

District staff recalled a multi-year process that began after a failed or incomplete 2019 bond effort, moved through pandemic pauses and resumed after voters approved an operational millage renewal in February 2024 with roughly 70% support. Staff noted the VIP citizens committee, town halls in 2022 and Fielding International’s 30-year facilities assessment as sources for the district’s data and priorities.

Superintendent Dr. Maleko and two administrators, identified as Mr. Wall and Mr. Mustonen, told the board they will recommend two categories of contracted services: one vendor to lead community engagement and another to provide a historical assessment of buildings. Staff said bids on the agenda carry high not-to-exceed figures because they priced end-to-end work; the district intends to negotiate and “whittle down” scope after vendor selection.

Mr. Wall summarized the role staff expect to play: “help guide the conversation, not direct it,” he said, describing staff as conveners who will present prioritized options for community feedback rather than a single fixed plan. Board members asked about lessons from the prior bond effort, vendor outreach and timeline. Staff said they reissued an RFP after receiving only one bid for a historical consultant, expanded outreach to other vendors (including firms that worked on comparable local projects), and plan to ask consultants whether a city-election ballot this November or a broader vote next November is more feasible.

Staff also briefed trustees on funds already spent and on-schedule projects: they referenced approximately $90,000,000 invested in buildings and systems from ESSER funds, capital project funds and grants; an $7,100,000 allocation for electric buses and related work; and about $1,000,000 for technology infrastructure upgrades. Staff said the district has received 18 electric buses through a grant and that some vehicles are still being outfitted with cameras and other equipment.

Board members pressed for transparency and broad public engagement. Trustee Zarr urged aggressive outreach and education well ahead of any ballot placement so voters have time to review concrete plans. Trustee Petlyakoff and others asked what would change in community engagement after the 2019 effort; staff pointed to the long-range assessment, additional town halls and the plan to present specific proposal options for community reaction, rather than only broad concepts.

What comes next: staff said they will refine vendor scopes and pricing with the two companies on the agenda, return with more-detailed recommendations to the board in the coming weeks, and ask trustees to decide soon whether to move toward a possible November city ballot or to wait for a larger election next year.

The district directed the public to an online “Facilities” tab on its First Bell newsletter at dearborneschools.org for the Fielding report, prior presentations and supporting data.