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Board hears update on $34.6 million bond and 10-year technology plan
Summary
Eastpointe Community Schools leaders told the Sept. 9 board meeting that the district has spent the first series of its 2023 $34.6 million bond and is prioritizing HVAC, drainage and a 10-year technology modernization that would cost about $15 million to sustain current systems; 2025 priorities include Wi‑Fi, fiber and cameras.
Superintendent Christina Gibson and district staff updated the board on the status of the district's 2023 bond and a proposed 10‑year technology plan.
Mr. Caroso said voters approved a $34.6 million bond in August 2023 and the district sold the first series in February 2024 for just under $20 million. He said those proceeds are funding current projects and left about $14.6 million for subsequent issuances. "We drew against that Bond or we sold Bonds in the first series in February 2024 of just under $20 million," he said.
Caroso outlined projects underway funded by the first series: mechanical improvements (including unit ventilators and rooftop HVAC work) estimated at about $8.2 million across several elementary schools; classroom casework and interior repairs; drainage and parking-lot resurfacing at Forest Park; abatement work for asbestos before construction; and a high‑school pool renovation with roughly $700,000 of the renovation to come from bond proceeds. He estimated the current projects total roughly $14.8 million. Caroso warned that the bond was advertised to voters with a plan that limited the first two years to $20 million so the district could maintain a zero tax‑rate increase; any spending above that figure could affect taxes and might require a later bond issuance after summer 2025.
District technology staff and consultants presented a 10‑year technology roadmap. Danny Leam (district Technology & Safety) and Matt Taro and Justin Monet of Communications by Design said they inventoried systems by expected useful life and created a phased schedule. They described some systems as "past due," citing server and Wi‑Fi replacement cycles, and proposed prioritizing districtwide infrastructure rather than one‑off repairs. "We've put together a plan that is as tentative as possible," Taro said, noting that actual bid prices and evolving technology could change timing or scope.
The consultants recommended 2025 priorities: wireless access points to improve classroom connectivity, mapping and repair of the external fiber backbone that links buildings, and upgrades to video surveillance cameras. They estimated roughly $15 million over 10 years would be required to modernize and sustain existing systems (not to fund entirely new systems). Presenters also noted e‑rate (a federal/state program) has previously covered major technology items and typically reduces district share (presenters described an approximate district share of 15% against e‑rate funding).
Board members pressed the presenters on funding choices and long‑term maintenance. Some members asked whether technology maintenance should be budgeted annually from general fund dollars or financed with bonds or a technology millage; presenters said districts commonly use a mix and that keeping a healthy fund balance while using bond proceeds for major capital projects is a common approach. Presenters also said some installed equipment is transferable to future building configurations, but certain systems would need additional work if the board changes facility plans.
Next steps: the board received the reports and heard questions; no formal action on bond spending or the 10‑year technology plan was taken at the meeting. Presenters said bids and further planning will inform which 2025 items move forward and whether additional bond issuance is necessary.
