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Livonia board approves roofing, Chromebooks, furniture, budget amendment, $63M refunding resolution and land sale
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Summary
The Livonia Public Schools board on Dec. 15 approved roofing contracts totaling $4,105,000, a $1.75 million Chromebook purchase (bond-funded), furniture purchases, a first budget amendment, a resolution authorizing up to $63 million in refunding bonds and the sale of 10.45 acres to Friends of the Rouge for $350,000; all actions passed by roll call (unanimous).
During its Dec. 15 regular meeting, the Livonia Public Schools Board approved a package of fiscal and procurement actions that the administration said will support facility maintenance, technology replacement and district finances.
Contracts and purchases
The board approved purchase of select furniture for idea factories and media centers at Niji Ero and Webster Elementary Schools from BBS Commercial Interiors at a cost not to exceed $75,750. The motion was made by Mister Johnson and supported by Missus Jarvis; the roll call vote was unanimous.
Board members then approved roofing replacement contracts recommended by the district’s owner’s representative (Plant Moran Reel Pointe/PMR). The awards to Lutz Roofing (Shelby, Mich.) and Royal Roofing (Lake Orion, Mich.) cover work at Buchanan Elementary, Cooper Upper Elementary, Hoover Elementary and Franklin High School’s competition gym. The total contract amount is $4,105,000 (includes a 6% contingency). Administrators said bids came in under budget and authorized the superintendent or designee to negotiate and execute final contracts.
The board also authorized the purchase of new Chromebooks (bond-funded) from People Driven Technology of Byron Center, Mich., for $1,691,300 and deployment services from All Covered (a Konica Minolta division) for $62,500, for a total of $1,753,800. Administration confirmed the purchase will be paid from prior bond proceeds (2021 bond).
Budget and debt actions
Finance director Missus Smith presented the board with the first 2025–26 budget amendment. On the record she stated that the district began the school year with about $31,300,000, presented total expenditure figures and projected an ending fund balance of $27,800,000, or a 14.7% fund balance. After discussion the board unanimously adopted the amended budgets across the general fund and listed special funds.
The board also adopted a resolution authorizing the negotiated sale and issuance of up to $63,000,000 in refunding bonds in 2026 to refinance a portion of outstanding debt; administration projected roughly $7,000,000 in taxpayer savings from the refunding. The district plans to work with PFM (financial advisors), Troon Law Firm (bond counsel) and JP Morgan (underwriter).
Sale of property
Board members approved the sale of approximately 10.45 acres of vacant land on Hicks Road (Sidwell 56-023-99-0013-00) to Friends of the Rouge for $350,000. Administration said the nonprofit plans to preserve the wetland and that proceeds will be deposited to the district’s capital projects fund.
Votes and next steps
All motions described above passed by roll call with all members voting yes. Several administrators told the board approvals were the result of prior review at committee-of-the-whole meetings and study sessions; the superintendent or designees were authorized where needed to finalize contracts and execute closing documents.
Quotes
"These were great bids, and they came in under budget," said Mr. Green, summarizing the roofing procurement. Finance director Missus Smith told the board the refunding opportunity could save taxpayers about $7,000,000 and recommended moving forward with a negotiated sale.
