Bond 2025

What is on the November 4, 2025 ballot?

On November 4th, voters in Wayne-Westland Community Schools will be asked to consider a building  infrastructure upgrades for health, safety, security, energy conservation and other purposes. If voters approve the bond proposal, it is estimated that the District will be able to maintain the current school debt levy and issue bonds with zero increase to the current debt millage rate. The proposal authorizes the issuance of $125 million in bonds which will be issued in multiple series over several years.

Will this ballot proposal increase a homeowner’s tax millage rate?

No, it is estimated that the School District’s debt millage rate will remain at the current level of 4.48 mills.

What are the goals of this bond proposal?

The District’s goals for Bond 2025 include:

• Continue to provide safe, warm, and dry school environments for our children
• Support current teaching and learning practices through appropriate furniture and technology
• Protect the community’s investment in the school district’s buildings and sites
• Keep taxpayer dollars in the Wayne-Westland Schools’ community
• Preserve General Fund dollars to accomplish the District’s core mission of instruction and student learning

What are the highlights of this bond proposal?

• Address infrastructure upgrades and operational efficiencies throughout the district to keep students safe, warm, and dry
• Furniture upgrades in all classrooms to provide flexible and adaptable classrooms
• Technology upgrades including instructional devices and network enhancements
• Provide consistent student experiences with major upgrades to Walker-Winter to bring it in line with other elementaries

What are the notable infrastructure improvements in the 2025 bond proposal?

• Parking lots
• Roofs
• Technology infrastructure
• Renovations to Dyer, Transportation, and Maintenance and Operations that were not done in the last bond
• New Johnson Controls head end controllers that were not completed in the last bond

Why are the improvements necessary?

Wayne-Westland Community Schools encompasses 2 million square feet of space across 22 facilities that, on average, are 65 years old. Our last bond program was passed in 2018. The district must continue to invest in keeping our facilities in proper condition to serve our students and staff. The Board of Education believes that the upgrades identified support proper stewardship of the community’s investment in our schools. The upgrades support the District’s goal to strengthen instruction by implementing aligned, research-based best practices districtwide to enhance student performance.

How was the 2025 Bond developed?

Bond 2025 is part of meeting the District’s strategic goals. In an effort toward these goals, the District engaged in several processes to assess the existing conditions of its buildings and evaluate how well the existing facilities support teaching and learning activities. The District also engaged in financial analysis of the current school debt to establish optimal timing for a bond vote to ensure the maximum amount of funding without an increase to taxpayers. Staff engagement sessions were also conducted to help us understand goals and vision for classroom instruction, with a focus on flexible furniture to support current teaching practices.

How can flexible furniture enhance learning environments? Why is it important in a classroom space?

A recent assessment revealed much of the district’s general classroom furniture has reached the end of its useful life. A professional team conducted engagement sessions with WWCS staff to gather input on barriers to learning. During the sessions, staff emphasized the importance of updated furniture that is flexible, mobile, and adaptable to better support student skill development and promote collaboration to help achieve District goals. Updating furniture using research-based best practices districtwide can enhance student performance. Flexible and adaptable furniture helps create engaging, student-centered environments allowing classrooms to be quickly rearranged for various activities.

In an exit ticket survey, staff shared that they believe new furniture would create more flexibility in storage, provide student autonomy, be sturdier, more reliable, better meet large or small group needs, and replace duct taped desks.

What technology upgrades are planned for in this bond?

Infrastructure & security enhancements:

• Improved audio/visual capabilities for secondary auditoriums, gyms, and large gathering spaces and digital signage

Devices & device management:

• Certified Staff Devices – New laptops, Chromebooks and instructional devices to support teachers, instruction, and collaboration
• Student Devices (K, 3, 6, 9 Refresh Cycle) – Device refresh/update for key grade levels to maintain 1:1 access and ensure consistent learning opportunities
• Non-Certified Staff Devices – Updated technology for support staff to increase efficiency and communication
• Device Management Systems – Tools to manage, update, and secure thousands of district devices efficiently and remotely

Safety and Operations:

• Video Monitoring Upgrades – Improved cameras and video systems to enhance building security and student safety
• Two-Way Radio System – Replacement of old/outdated radios with a modern, district-wide radio system for quick response
• Departmental Software Solutions – Updated tools to support transportation, food service, human resources, and other critical departments
• Printing & Document Systems – Streamlined and cost-effective printing infrastructure to support staff and student needs

Why does Walker-Winter Elementary have more projected improvements than other schools?

Upgrades at Walker-Winter were not a part of the 2018 bond scope as options for future use of the school building were being evaluated. The Board of Education has since decided to continue operating Walker-Winter as an elementary school. To create consistent elementary experiences, improvements will be made to bring it in line with other District elementary buildings. These improvements include air conditioning, kitchen remodeling, a new secure vestibule and entrance, the creation of a dedicated cafeteria space, and upgrades to the gym.

What is the timeline for the upgrades to take place?

If the bond proposal is successfully passed on November 4, 2025, design would commence on various projects beginning that Fall, with construction on final projects completing in approximately 2031.

Is the Board of Education behind this proposal?

The Board unanimously approved the recommendation for the Bond Proposal. As always, the Board of Education has expressed its commitment to quality educational programs and facilities for our students and entire community and has indicated that it wholeheartedly supports this proposal.

What has been completed in the 2018 bond program?

The last bond program for our School District was approved by voters in 2018. It has been essential in addressing the District’s most critical facility repairs, the District’s aging buildings, and the desire to modernize facilities to help reduce barriers for today’s and tomorrow’s learners. The following list provides projects that have been completed:

High Schools

• New secure entrances
• New administration offices
• HVAC Improvements, new boilers & partial roofing
• Generators for tech & emergency systems
• Updated flooring, paint & lighting
• Cafeteria & servery renovations (Wayne Memorial)
• New weight rooms/fitness rooms
• Steam room renovations (John Glenn)

Middle Schools

• New Secure Entrances
• New administration offices
• HVAC improvements & new boilers
• Updated fire alarm systems
• Generators for tech & emergency systems
• Updated flooring, paint & lighting
• Partial roofing & paving of running tracks

Elementary Schools

• New Secure Entrances
• New administration offices
• HVAC improvements & new boilers
• Updated fire alarm systems
• Generators for tech equipment
• Updated flooring, paint & lighting
• Updated kitchen & food service equipment
• Playground improvements
• New gym additions
  
  

Why doesn’t the District use the general fund to pay for all of this?

Quite simply, the general fund cannot afford to pay for these large capital investments. Even during times of significant student growth and more robust per student state funding, the District has relied on support from taxpayer-approved bond issues.

What is a school bond?

A voter-approved bond proposal is a funding mechanism a public school district may use to borrow money to pay for major capital expenditures. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on various capital expenditures including on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, infrastructure improvements, safety, and security enhancements, athletic and performing arts facilities, playgrounds, furnishings, equipment, buses, and technology.

How does the 2025 Bond Proposal differ from the 2024 Operating mileage?

A school’s operating mileage funds the district’s general budget to pay for things like teacher salaries, utilities, and other operational expenses.

A Bond is a lump-sum dollar amount that a school district borrows through the sale of bonds, to fund capital projects. Taxpayers pay the bond money back over a period of years with interest – similar to a home mortgage – by way of the debt millage levied by the district. This provides the district with the ability to fund major capital projects and program improvements without impacting the General Fund.

What are current debt millage rates of our surrounding and benchmark districts?

How much would the bond proposal cost the average taxpayer?

If voters approve the bond proposal, it is projected that the annual debt millage required to repay the District’s outstanding and proposed bonds will remain at or below the 2018 debt millage rate. Funds would be generated for this bond proposal through an extension of the 2018 debt rate. Thus, it is projected that there will be no increase over the 2018 debt millage rate.

What is a mill?

A mill represents $1.00 for every $1,000 of taxable value of your property. The taxable value of your property is the same or lower than the state-equalized value and substantially lower (50% or more) than the market value. Also, it is important to remember that property taxes, including any increases, may be deductible on your federal income tax returns and may count as a credit on your state returns.

Economically, is this a good time for a bond proposal?

• Items identified in the recent Facilities Assessment were prioritized due to their age and end of useful life. These items will not disappear; they will only worsen with age. In addition, construction costs have been rising. Delaying these improvements may result in higher construction costs in the future.
• With debt retiring, the District has the opportunity to keep the mileage rate at its current level and extend it with no impact to mileage rate.
• The value and vitality of a community often rests on the quality and marketability of its schools.

Can I deduct these property taxes on my income tax return?

Property taxes may be deductible as itemized deductions on your federal income tax return if you itemize. You may also be eligible for the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit on your Michigan Income Tax Return. Please consult with your tax preparer.

What exactly is the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit?

The Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit is a method through which some taxpayers can receive a tax credit for an amount of their property tax that exceeds a certain percentage of their household income. This program establishes categories under which homeowners or renters are eligible for a homestead property tax credit. Please consult with your tax preparer to determine if you are eligible for this important and valuable tax credit.

Could money from the bond program be used to pay for salaries and benefits?

No, that is against State law. Bond dollars cannot be used for operational expenses such as employee salaries, upgrades, facility maintenance, or energy costs. Bond program funds must be accounted for separately from general operating funds. Bond funds are also subject to audit.

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
• Administrative costs

Bond proceeds can be used for the following items:

• Construction and remodeling of facilities
• Purchase of instructional technology equipment
• Equipment and furniture
• Site improvements
• Purchase of buses

How will this bond help retain and attract students to Wayne-Westland Community Schools?

The District receives operational funding from the State of Michigan for every student attending Wayne-Westland Community Schools. The quality of a community’s school district is regarded as an important consideration by potential home buyers. Also, the quality of a school district’s programs and the condition of its facilities are two factors that parents consider when deciding where to send their children to school.

The goal of the bond proposal is to address the aging infrastructure of our buildings and to make learning environment upgrades in all our schools to meet current teaching and learning practices. The educational landscape is becoming more competitive, and parents have many choices as to where to enroll their children in school. The Board of Education and administration believe that the bond proposal will provide a learning environment for all students that complements the District programming and supports efforts to attract new students.

Does all bond proposal revenue stay within Wayne-Westland Community Schools?

Yes. Bond proceeds can only be used on projects/buildings owned by the District.

What are the key dates leading up to the November 4, 2025 election?

Sept. 24, 2025 - Absentee ballots available

Oct. 20, 2025 - Deadline to register to vote by mail or online and be eligible to vote in November election

Oct. 21, 2025 - Starting 10/21/25 through Election Day a voter can register in person with their local clerk with proof of residency

Nov. 3, 2025 at 4pm - Deadline to vote in person, with an absentee ballot, at your city or township clerk’s office

Nov. 4, 2025 - Final day to vote absentee is 8pm on Election Day if turning your ballot in in person at your polling place

Where do I vote?

You may find your polling information online at Michigan Voter Information Center:

https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter

Or you can contact your local city clerk:

City of Westland
Westland City Clerk
36300 Warren Rd.
Westland, MI 48185
734.467.3185

Romulus
Romulus City Clerk
11111 Wayne Rd.
Romulus, MI 48174
734.942.7540

City of Wayne
Wayne City Clerk
3355 S. Wayne Rd. Wayne, MI 48184
734.722.2204

Canton Township
Canton Township Clerk
1150 S Canton Center Rd.
Canton, MI 48188
734.394.5120

City of Inkster
Inkster City Clerk
26215 Trowbridge St. Inkster, MI 48141
313.563.9770

If I cannot make it to the polls on November 4, 2025, what are my options for absentee voting?

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Friday, October 31, at 5 p.m. Voters may also obtain an absentee voter ballot and vote in person up to 4 p.m., Monday November 3. The deadline to return a completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, November 4, at 8 p.m. at your designated polling location.

• If you have not received your absentee ballot application, it is available:
  • Online 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.

How will the bond proposal request appear on the ballot?

WAYNE-WESTLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
COUNTY OF WAYNE
STATE OF MICHIGAN
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROPOSITION

Shall the Wayne-Westland Community Schools, County of Wayne, State of Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($125,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series, to pay the cost of the following projects to create a modern learning environment for students and for health, safety, security, energy conservation and other purposes:

• Remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing, re-furnishing school buildings and other facilities;
• Acquiring and installing instructional technology infrastructure and equipment in school buildings and other facilities; and
• Preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings and other facilities?

YES ___ 

NO ___

The annual debt millage required to retire all bonds of the School District currently outstanding and proposed pursuant to this ballot is expected to be at or below 4.48 mills which is a 0 mill increase from the annual debt millage levied in 2025. The maximum number of years any series of bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than twenty-five (25) years; the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 2.29 mills (which is equal to $2.29 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of bonds is 2.58 mills annually ($2.58 per $1,000 of taxable value).

If approved by the voters, the bonds will be guaranteed by the State under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program (the “Program”). The School District currently has $105,575,000 of qualified bonds outstanding and $0 of qualified loans outstanding under the Program. The School District does not expect to borrow from the Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated computed millage rate required to be levied to pay the proposed bonds may change in the future based on changes in certain circumstances.

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for teacher, administrator or employee salaries, repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses.)