Bloomfield Schools board approves request to place Oakland County regional enhancement millage on ballot, 4-2

The Bloomfield Schools Board of Education voted 4-2 to approve a resolution requesting that an Oakland County regional enhancement millage be placed before voters.

Board Chair said the motion was moved by a trustee and seconded, then opened the floor for discussion before the roll call vote. A trustee said the district would receive "47¢ on the dollar for everything that we pay," citing the projected share of millage revenues for the district. Another board member noted the approach to placing the measure on ballots — asking districts to participate rather than a single countywide placement — was "very unique" and raised procedural concerns.

A staff member explained the process is "driven... by the Michigan Compiled Laws," saying the statute specifically authorizes school districts to participate in a countywide enhancement millage. That same speaker argued that, for broader long-term funding, the Legislature must give higher priority to education funding rather than relying on ad hoc millages.

Several trustees raised objections about the timing and control of funds. The Board Chair said they were uncomfortable that the district would have no control over funding allocated to other districts and described that as outside the board's jurisdiction. Another trustee criticized scheduling the measure for an August election, calling the choice "sneaky" and noting historically low August turnout (the trustee cited about 30% turnout in August 2022, compared with roughly 65% in November).

After the discussion, the board voted. The motion to approve the attached regional enhancement millage resolution for Oakland County passed on a 4-2 vote.

The vote implements the board's approval to request that Oakland County place the regional enhancement millage on the ballot; the transcript does not specify a proposed millage rate, effective date, or the next procedural steps beyond the board's vote.