Bloomfield Hills board schedules sinking fund workshop as current levy nears 2026 expiration
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Summary
Board members and staff discussed options for renewing or refreshing the district's sinking fund, possible millage durations, allowable uses and a proposed workshop on June 12 to shape a recommendation before a July decision window.
The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education discussed renewing its sinking fund and scheduled a workshop for Thursday, June 12, to develop strategy and public messaging.
Superintendent West told trustees the district's current sinking fund expires at the end of December 2026 and described sinking funds as a "pay-as-you-go strategy" that may be used for "safety and security, transportation, infrastructure, and technology." He said a 10-year term is the legal maximum the district may pursue and that the board will determine the amount and duration.
Why it matters: trustees said they want to present a clear case to voters and avoid the crowded 2026 election cycle, which includes high-profile statewide races. Several trustees emphasized the need to pair asset needs with a public-facing plan describing how funds would be spent.
At the meeting, staff said the finance committee has prepared a worksheet showing potential millage impacts and project buckets (roofs, boilers, transportation fleet, technology, safety upgrades). Trustees asked for visuals and photos of candidate projects (for example roofs in disrepair) to help the public understand large cost items. Staff said they will include building- and asset-level detail in the workshop materials.
Board members asked procedural questions: the workshop will be a special public meeting, will include communications staff, and may be combined with a bargaining update or other business if timing allows. Superintendent West said the board could expect a preliminary recommendation in July and that, if the board chose a November 2025 election, the board would need to approve language in July and submit materials to the Oakland County Elections Department by August.
The board asked trustees to review draft documents in advance and prepare questions for the June 12 workshop. Staff said the packet would include allowable expenditures, current funding available, a 10-year projection of needs, and example campaign strategies.
The discussion closed with an agreement to pick a final workshop agenda and begin public-facing materials once trustees had digested the data.