2021 Bond

1. What school issue is on the May 4, 2021 ballot?
On May 4, 2021, voters in South Redford School District will be asked to consider a bond proposal to implement improvements to address infrastructure upgrades deemed critical by the Board of Education at all buildings and sites, new and upgraded instructional technology, and creating future-ready learning environments. The total amount of this bond proposal is $79,905,000 with ZERO increase projected over the 2020 debt millage rate.
2. How was this plan developed?
- In summer 2019, SRSD hired TMP Architecture and Barton Malow Construction to conduct a Facility Assessment to identify building infrastructure deficiencies across the District.
- Through fall and winter 2019-2020, District administration and instructional staff participated in exploratory “field trips” to school facilities within our state and Northwest Ohio who had recently undergone renovation and/or new construction efforts aimed at closely aligning their physical environments with curricular vision.
- In spring 2020, the professional team conducted both a Program Assessment and a Technology Assessment to identify whether existing District facilities could be supportive of the future programmatic goals and objectives of the District’s curricular vision.
- The District formed a Building Futures Committee (BFC), comprised of 56 participants, including students, teachers, principals, administrators, community members, and business owners. The Committee’s charge was to review, analyze, and provide input for upgrading SRSD educational facilities to improve safety and security, correct infrastructure deficiencies, provide future-ready learning environments for all students in an equitable manner, and foster a culture of college and workforce preparedness. Seven BFC meetings were held to develop a plan that addressed all of the identified goals/objectives in an equitable manner, while at the same time maintaining a ZERO increase over the 2020 debt millage rate. The BFC dedicated more than 600 hours in developing this plan from June-October 2020.
- In addition, six separate building-community sessions were held with additional staff, community members, and parents to gain feedback on the committee’s considerations. A number of ideas, concepts, and estimates were vetted in the process and many of the building-community sentiments and ideas were integrated into the plan.
- On November 23, 2020, the BFC presented its findings and recommendation to the Board of Education, who unanimously supported moving forward with a May 4, 2021 bond election in the amount of $79,905,000 with ZERO increase projected over the 2020 millage rate.
3. What are the Areas of Focus for Bond 2021?
The program addresses prioritized infrastructure upgrades and security enhancements at all buildings and sites, creating future-ready learning environments including new and improved technology, and remodeling Shear Center into a new Innovation Center, all with the goal of increasing student achievement and fostering a culture of college and workforce preparedness.
4. What are the specific features of the May 4, 2021 bond proposal at each school?
Addams Elementary School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- New bus loop and parking lot expansion
- Repave parking lot and sidewalks
- Replace roofing where needed
- Multi-purpose room addition
- Special education classroom addition
- Dedicated STEM/Makerspace classroom
- Upgrade group restrooms
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade cafeteria
- Upgrade classrooms
- Upgrade music and art classrooms
- New flexible classroom furniture
- New playground equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Fisher Elementary School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Expand parking and repave existing parking lot and sidewalks
- Replace roofing where needed
- New (12) general classroom addition
- New main entry, secure vestibule and administration addition
- New music and art classrooms
- New cafeteria, office, and support spaces addition
- Dedicated STEM/Makerspace classroom
- Upgrade group restrooms
- New special education offices
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade existing multi-purpose gymnasium
- Reorganization and upgrades of existing spaces
- New flexible classroom furniture
- Upgrade existing kindergarten and prekindergarten classrooms
- New playground and equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Jefferson Elementary School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Repave parking lot and sidewalks
- Multi-purpose room addition
- Dedicated STEM/ Makerspace classroom
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade cafeteria
- Upgrade classrooms
- Upgrade music and art classrooms
- Remodel ASD room to pre-k classroom
- New flexible classroom furniture
- New playground equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Vandenberg Elementary School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Repave parking lot, sidewalks, and blacktop playground areas
- Multi-purpose room addition
- Dedicated STEM/ Makerspace classroom
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade cafeteria
- Upgrade classrooms
- Upgrade music and art classrooms
- Upgrade group restrooms
- New flexible classroom furniture
- New playground equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Pierce Middle School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Repave parking lot and sidewalks
- Upgrade athletic fields
- New flexible classroom furniture
- Convert current 7th-grade science classrooms into STEM labs
- Convert current STEM classrooms and computer lab into 7th-grade science classrooms
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade cafeteria
- Upgrade classrooms
- Reorganize and expand administration and counseling space
- Upgrade visual and performing arts classrooms
- Upgrade group restrooms
- New staff restrooms on 2nd floor
- New athletic equipment
- New music equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Thurston High School
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Repave parking lot and sidewalks
- Replace roofing where needed
- Upgrade existing classrooms to new student collaboration spaces
- Upgrade athletic ball fields and tennis courts including fencing
- Remodel existing media center to Learning Commons
- Upgrade classrooms
- Upgrade science labs
- Upgrade music classrooms
- Upgrade group restrooms
- New flexible classroom furniture
- New athletic equipment
- New music equipment
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
- Upgrade gym and cafeteria audio visual systems
Thurston High School Innovation Center
- Upgrade security systems; camera/buzzer systems and additional security cameras
- Replace heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
- Upgrade electrical systems and lighting for energy savings
- Repave parking lot and sidewalks
- Replace roofing where needed
- New innovation center
- New robotics lab
- New Career Technical Education (CTE), Skilled Trades, and Vo-Tech program spaces
- New flexible classroom furniture
- New outdoor patio to support CTE, Skilled Trades, and Vo-Tech studios
- Replace classroom instructional technology and equipment
5. Is there a project timeline?
The following project timeline is only a projection. Dates and project order may be revised based on several factors including things such as market conditions, student impact, weather, product availability, and school calendar.
2021 – Design Work
2021-2022 – Thurston High School Innovation Center
2022 2023 – Fisher Addition, Renovations, Site Work
2022-2023 – Addams, Jefferson, and Vandenberg Additions
2022-2023 – Pierce Middle School Renovations
2024 2025 – Thurston High School Renovations
2024-2025 – Addams, Jefferson, and Vandenberg Renovations
6. What will happen to the Gibson School site?
7. How would Bond 2021 impact our learning environments for teachers and students?
8. What is the plan to keep facility improvement disruptions to a minimum?
9. What has been completed in the previous bond program and current sinking fund?
In 2005, the District implemented a Bond Program that addressed various facilities goals of the District and made a number of infrastructure improvements at that time. Specific features addressed in this bond program included new canopies at all building entrances to enhance curb appeal, a new 700-seat Performing Arts Auditorium, auxiliary gym
addition, athletic upgrades including installation of synthetic turf at the athletic field, new concession stands, restrooms, and improved security and increased parking at the athletic field, Thurston High, and Addams Elementary Schools.
The Board and administration agreed that our buildings have served very well over the past several years, but as our buildings age, we know that we are moving closer to the end of the useful life of our building systems and components. In 2013, as part of the effort to provide responsible fiscal management, the District and its professional team conducted an assessment of all District facilities that identified future repair and renovation priorities.
In August 2013, the District successfully passed a Building and Site Sinking Fund (BSSF) to allow the District to fund building and site repairs, safety and security measures, expansion of the high school cafeteria, and various infrastructure upgrades which included repairs, replacements, additions and/or remodeling at all of our District buildings. The goals for these upgrades are to allow the District to continue to provide students and the community with safe and secure learning environments and to protect taxpayers’ investment in our schools.
10. How are neighboring districts addressing the aging condition of their school buildings?
11. Why is it important to attract and retain students in the District?
Public schools in Michigan receive operating funds on a per-pupil basis. Attracting and retaining students plays a major role in keeping SRSD’s operating budget stable. The quality of our programs and facilities plays a role in both of these areas. If approved by the voters, the bond program would upgrade facilities to support updated teaching methods, improve operational efficiencies in our facilities, provide progressive learning environments, and protect and maintain the community’s past investment in our school buildings. Parents have choices regarding where their children will receive an education. It is the intent of the Board of Education and the District to maintain its reputation for providing quality programs and facilities in order to attract and retain students.
12. What is the estimated cost breakdown for the bond projects?
Approximate costs associated with the projects identified in 2021 Bond program are allocated in the following manner:
Building |
Estimate of Construction Value |
Addams Elementary School |
$8,094,081 |
Fisher Elementary School |
$21,108,304 |
Jefferson Elementary School |
$6,470,313 |
Vandenberg Elementary School |
$6,910,897 |
Pierce Middle School |
$13,494,890 |
Thurston High School / Innovation Center |
$22,554,241 |
Gibson School Demolition |
$367,276 |
Bond Issuance Costs |
$1,223,282 |
Interest Earned |
($318,284) |
Total Bond |
$79,905,000 |
13. How much would the bond proposal cost the average taxpayer?

14. Can I deduct these property taxes on my income tax return?
15. What exactly is the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit?
16. Could money from the bond program be used to pay for salaries and benefits?
17. Please explain what bond program money can cover and what it cannot.
Bond proceeds cannot be used for the following items:
- Salaries and wages
- General operating expenses and maintenance
- Classroom supplies and textbooks
- Construction and remodeling of facilities
- Purchase of instructional technology equipment
- Equipment and furniture
- Site improvements
18. What are the key dates leading up to the May 4th vote?
Voter registration procedures have changed since 2018.
April 19, 2021 – Last day to register in any manner other than in person with the local clerk for the May election.
April 30, 2021 up to 5pm – Deadline for electors to obtain an absent voter ballot via First Class mail.
May 4, 2021 up to 8pm – Deadline for voters to obtain an absent voter ballot in person in clerk’s office.
May 4, 2021 up to 8pm – Election Day registrants may obtain and vote an absent voter ballot in person in the township clerk’s office or vote in person in the proper precinct.
19. If I cannot make it to the polls on May 4, 2021 what are my options for absentee voting?
The deadline to request an absentee ballot via First Class Mail is Friday, April 30, at 5 p.m., and voters may also obtain an absent voter ballot in person up to 8 pm on Tuesday, May 4. The deadline to return a completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 4, at 8 p.m.
If you did not receive your absentee ballot application they are available:
- On-line at www.michigan.gov/vote
- At the Township Clerk’s office
Note: Once election ballots are available in the clerk’s office, you can walk into your clerk’s office, receive an absentee application, fill it out, and immediately be given your ballot to cast your vote. Please check with your clerk’s office hours and if drop boxes are available.
20. Who may I contact if I have additional questions?
Mr. Brian Galdes, Superintendent of Schools
313-535-4000 x1001 | galdes@southredford.org21. Where do I vote?
22. How will the bond proposal appear on the ballot?
SOUTH REDFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND PROPOSAL
Shall the South Redford School District, County of Wayne, Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Seventy-Nine Million Nine Hundred Five Thousand Dollars ($79,905,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of defraying the cost of:
- Constructing additions to, equipping, furnishing, reequipping, refurnishing, and remodeling existing School District buildings, including mechanical, energy efficiency, science labs, career technical education, and safety and security improvements, and elementary classroom and multipurpose additions;
- Acquiring and installing technology infrastructure and equipment; and • Improving and developing sites, including playgrounds, parking lots, athletic fields, outdoor athletic facilities and structures and demolition of the Gibson School in the School District?
YES O
NO O
The annual debt millage required to pay the debt service on the School District’s proposed and outstanding bonds is estimated to remain at or below the 2020 levy. The estimated millage to be levied in 2021 to service this issue of bonds is 3.58 mills ($3.58 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds of this issue is 7.04 mills ($7.04 per $1,000 of taxable value). The bonds may be issued in multiple series, payable in the case of each series in not to exceed 30 years from the date of issue of such series.
The School District currently has $17,555,000 of qualified bonds outstanding and $0 of qualified loans outstanding under the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program. The School District does not expect to borrow from the program to pay debt service on these bonds. The millage rate may change based on changes in circumstances.
(Under State law, bond proceeds may not be used to pay teacher or administrator salaries, routine maintenance or repair costs or other school district operating expenses.)