The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education on Nov. 24 voted 7–0 to authorize Superintendent West to enter formal negotiations with Oakland County Parks over a potential partnership covering Bowers School Farm and the Johnson Nature Center.

The resolution — read into the record by Trustee 11 — said any agreement must "maintain Bloomfield Hills Schools' ownership and educational mission at both sites," preserve student programming, ensure public access and outline fiscal and operational impacts before the board would approve any final memorandum of understanding. The board directed the superintendent to return with a proposed draft agreement for formal consideration.

Oakland County Parks planner Simon Rivers, who led public engagement for the joint process, told the board the outreach in October produced roughly 750 responses (more than 600 online and nearly 100 at two in‑person events). "Sixty‑one percent of survey respondents were in favor of a potential partnership, with 25 percent needing more information to decide, and 14 percent not in support," he said. Rivers said top priorities identified by participants included agricultural education, youth programming, trails and preserving natural areas.

Public commenters at the board meeting voiced both support and concern. Jessica Lynn, the district's agricultural teacher, urged the board to protect hands‑on education at the farm, saying the farm is a 93‑acre classroom where students "learn life skills" not available in a traditional classroom. Preservation Bloomfield vice president Cynthia Vanoyen and leaders of Friends of the Farm urged the board to pursue the partnership, saying county expertise and a dedicated parks millage could help sustain the sites. Township Clerk Martin Brook and other local officials submitted a letter of support for the merger.

Board members said the engagement showed broad community interest in preserving education while addressing the financial burden of maintaining the properties. Superintendent West and trustees repeatedly said preservation of ownership and the district's educational role would be guiding principles in negotiations.

Trustee 7, who has overseen the process, told the board the presentation "answered" the question of how much the community values the educational resources at the sites and recommended moving forward to negotiate terms that reflect the community input. The motion to authorize negotiations passed on a roll call vote, 7–0.

Next steps outlined in the resolution include negotiation of terms, presentation of a draft agreement and a formal board vote before any contract or memorandum of understanding is executed.

The board said it will continue community engagement as negotiations proceed and expects the draft agreement to include a fiscal impact statement and operational implications for district programming.