Royal Oak Schools Propose $59.9M Bond

ROYAL OAK, MI — A $59.9 million bond proposal by Royal Oak Schools would address needed facility improvements and allow for technological upgrades if approved by voters on Nov. 7. Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin outlined the bond proposal during his recent state of the schools address. He said approval of the proposal would not mean a tax increase.

Costs would be offset by the expiration of an earlier bond and the district has also realized savings from refinancing the debt, district officials have said. Language for the newest bond proposal is currently being finalized. Lewis-Lakin said new funds are needed to fix aging facilities.

“Our board has defined and approve a scope of projects for a renewed facilities plan,” Lewis-Lakin said at the state of the schools address, according to the Royal Oak Tribune. “These projects include needed updates to facilities that are at the end of their life and they include enhancements to our existing facilities, so that we can continue to meet the expectations of a new generation of Royal Oak families.”

If voters approve the bond, the money would be spent on a range of projects, including:

• Constructing additions and remodeling buildings.
• Improving and developing sites such as parking areas, playgrounds, outdoor athletic fields and other facilities.
• Furnishing, refurnishing, equipping and re-equipping buildings.
• Installing instructional technology.

Lewis-Lakin said Royal Oak Schools has one of the lowest tax rates among school districts in the Oakland County. That including nearby cities such as Troy, Birmingham, Oak Park, Clawson, Ferndale, Madison Heights and Berkley, the Tribune reported. School taxes in Royal Oak include a hold harmless millage of 2.5 mills, a sinking fund millage of 0.98 mills and debt millage of 3.25 mills for 2017.

“From a funding perspective, the key element of the (bond) proposal is that it would not raise tax rates,” Lewis-Lakin told the newspaper.

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