On May 6, 2025, voters in the Dexter Community Schools will consider a bond proposal focused on creating modernized and forward-thinking spaces for students and staff; and providing infrastructure upgrades across all District facilities. If voters approve the bond proposal, it is estimated that the District will be able to maintain the overall school debt levy and issue the bonds with zero increase to the debt millage rate over the current debt millage rate. The proposal authorizes the issuance of $241,865,000 million in bonds which will be issued in multiple series over several years. 

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. 

• Critical Infrastructure at all district buildings 
• Collaboration space and restroom upgrades at all schools 
• Playground Upgrades and Outdoor Learning Spaces at all schools 
• Mill Creek becomes a 5-6 building to consolidate all young learners on the same campus (east of Baker) 
• Major Enhancements including a new modern classroom addition @ Wylie Elementary 
• New construction and major renovation at the Creekside site/building to create a new 7-8 Building and theater for student and community use 
• New Indoor Athletic and Community Space and Athletic Facility Upgrades (Entryway, Concessions, Bleachers) 
• Upgrades to our Theatre, Arts and Music Spaces 
• Upgrades to our High School, including new secure front entry, new fitness space, new CTE space, and redesigned science pods and 2nd/3rd floor areas 
• Technology Upgrades across the District 
• Bus Purchases 

Nationwide research has shown that improving school district facilities may:

• Protect and improve property values
• Create a positive impact on student enrollment

Public schools in Michigan receive money on a per-pupil basis. That means that attracting and retaining students is critical. The quality of our programs and facilities plays a role in 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. The District and Board of Education intend to maintain their reputation for providing quality programs and facilities to attract and retain students. 

The safety and security of DCS students and staff is always a main priority. The 2025 bond program contains a range of strategic improvements across various facilities to enhance safety & security throughout the District. District-wide upgrades include the enhancement of the public address system and the replacement of outdated security cameras and servers, ensuring communication and surveillance remain effective. Specific enhancements at Jenkins School involve the installation of a secure entrance, along with new doors, security hardware, and additional security cameras, which collectively strengthen access control. Similarly, updates at the Anchor, Wylie, Mill Creek, and Bates schools involve replacing egress windows and emergency lighting, ensuring swift evacuations and safe exits in emergencies. Wylie and Bates also benefit from updates to non-fire rated doors and fire alarm systems, bolstering overall fire safety. Dexter High School introduces a secure entrance vestibule to separate athletic access from general entry, while improvements in handrails and flooring address physical safety concerns. Additionally, the Thurston Field House receives emergency lighting upgrades and heating to facilitate safe usage in colder months. Transportation building enhancements include better furnace room enclosures and improved maintenance lift facilities, which contribute to safer bus operations. This comprehensive approach to upgrading infrastructure not only addresses current safety needs but also promotes a secure learning environment for students and staff alike. 

There are numerous benefits for residents without school-aged children. District facilities and sites are regularly used by community members who do not have children attending District schools. Dexter Community Schools takes pride in its role as an important community resource and partner. We are regularly told that the value and vitality of our community significantly depends on the quality and marketability of our schools and that great schools help to maintain local property values. The Dexter Community Schools Board believes in their role of good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. This extends to the belief that it is in our community’s best interests to protect its investments and to attract (and retain) families and businesses to our area. 

The 2025 Bond program includes upgrades to the facilities that are owned and operated by the District and enjoyed by the greater Dexter community, including walking paths, tennis/pickleball courts, outdoor trails, fields, gyms, the Wellness Center, the Senior Center, the Jenkins Early Childhood Learning Center, and the Baby House. Dexter Community Schools facilities and properties are utilized by students during the school schedule and maximized with community use outside of school hours. 

Upgrading technology infrastructure across the District involves more than upgrading to the latest device models and software upgrades alone. A more robust fiber optic network together with cutting edge interactive technology tools allows staff and students to engage in a more immersive way, enhancing their teaching and learning experiences, while preparing students for success after graduation. 

Many projects in the Bond 2025 proposal are focused on theater, arts, and music. Upgrades include storage areas and finishes in all theater, music, and art spaces, as well as the purchase of new musical instruments. A new 300+-seat theater is planned for the new 7/8 grade Creekside facility, allowing student creativity to flourish, as well as to support community theater. Mill Creek will see new music areas for 5-6 grade programs and updates to the 2017 newly renovated spaces and spaces for after-school activities. The DHS Center for Performing Arts will be upgraded with new state-of-the-art equipment. 

Dexter Community Schools is a state and national leader in innovative teaching and learning practices. Through the 2017 Bond, DCS was able to replace antiquated classroom furniture and create more flexible options for students. In addition, DCS created small group and large group learning spaces in many of our buildings. The 2025 bond proposal will allow this work to continue and expand for all ages of students throughout the district. This would include developing large and small group flexible learning spaces starting in the earliest years through high school. It also includes continuing down the path of flexible seating options for our students in every classroom setting. Dexter Community Schools is fortunate to have innovative teachers and highly motivated students who have been able to maximize our current learning spaces and continue to create innovative options for teaching and learning that can be replicated and expanded throughout the district. Through the 2025 Bond proposal, Dexter Community Schools is committed to helping our students develop transferable skills that will help them be successful as adults when they graduate from our DCS. Specifically, we are focusing on helping our students develop skills in Collaboration, Creative & Critical Thinking, Communication, Kindness & Empathy, Personal Responsibility & Resilience, Initiative, Information Literacy, Content Knowledge, and Financial Literacy. By modernizing every school through the 2025 Bond proposal, our buildings and physical infrastructure will be designed to specifically support development of each of these important skills and competencies for our students. 

Many proposed improvements in Bond 2025 enhance athletic, sports, and recreation facilities and equipment for both student-athletes and community members. District-wide initiatives include the replacement of aging gymnasium equipment, such as bleachers and climbing walls, and updating mechanical units servicing pools and gyms. At Wylie, the gymnasium floor will be replaced to maintain its usability for competitions and community events. Similar upgrades at Creekside will also ensure the gym remains functional for competitions, while locker room reconfigurations will optimize space efficiency. Dexter High School will benefit from a new weight room and fitness equipment, as well as flooring upgrades for the indoor track. Improvements at Thurston Field House include additional heating for extended seasonal use, while Al Ritt Stadium will receive a new gateway including new field lighting, secure access enhancements at the press box, upgraded bleachers and concessions, as well as turf replacement at the stadium field. A new storage building for athletic resources is also planned as well as restrooms at field locations throughout the district. The Dexter Wellness Center will see updates to equipment and expanded access for student-athletes. A very exciting aspect of Bond 2025 is the creation of a large indoor multi-purpose athletic and community space that will serve a multitude of purposes associated with athletics, health, wellness, and student/community events. Finally, playgrounds will be upgraded with age-appropriate, accessible new equipment and sports fields will be upgraded as needed. Collectively, these enhancements not only support competitive sports but also promote community engagement, with the goal of fostering a thriving athletic and health-focused culture within the Dexter community. 

The reorganization of grade levels across Mill Creek and Creekside creates an opportunity to align the Dexter school experience with age-appropriate facilities, amenities, and adjacencies. Mill Creek will be home to the district's younger learners, keeping all 5/6 students on the east side of Baker Road allowing teachers to facilitate collaborative and interdisciplinary lessons across grade levels; as well as aligning school start times and providing for a more family-friendly configuration. Making Creekside (on the west side of Baker Road) the home to 7/8 grades provides these students with a safe, age-appropriate home base with a new theater and learning spaces, along with proximity to existing athletic spaces and walkable access to existing and new High School indoor and outdoor athletic spaces.

Conceptual plans for the projects have been developed to estimate construction costs. If voters approve the ballot proposal, detailed design of the projects will take place. Design of a building program is costly and will not be completed for practical/financial reasons unless the community approves the bond issue. These details will take the architects several months of work with input from staff, community members, and other professionals. 

The following matrix delineates the proposed infrastructure upgrades across our school buildings: 

Any project outlined in the bond proposal must be represented within the ballot language and included in the application approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury.  

Starting around 2027, we anticipate moving all of the K-8 students on the Baker Road side of the campus. 

The current plan would be to build the addition with 7 classrooms to Wylie in 2026. Once that addition is completed, we would then utilize the additional space at Wylie for one grade level, utilize space at DEEC for an additional grade level (essentially keeping the 2nd graders for a 3rd grade year), utilize Bates as needed, and ideally continue with one grade level at Creekside if we can keep open a key hallway in the building. 

We anticipate the major renovations at Creekside to take up to 18 months to complete.  If we can start the renovations in June when school lets out, we can complete a mid-year move so the shuffling will only be necessary for 18 months.  We have multiple plans based on what enrollment looks like in the grade levels at the time but this is the most likely scenario.  In recent years, our kindergarten classes have been around 220 students.  If that trend continues, this plan works.  If we experience larger kindergarten classes in high 200's then we will utilize part of Mill Creek and more of Bates during the transition.  

School bond planning in Michigan includes conservative financial modeling, reviewed by the Department of Treasury under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program (SBQLP) for fiscal soundness.

Historically, DCS taxable values have a 20-year average increase of increasing by 3.59% annually, dating back to 2004.  From 1996 through 2016, the average taxable value increase was 5.30%.  Over the past 30 years, the taxable value increased by an average of 5%.

Yes, responsible inflation cost estimates have been included.  The projects planned in the bond proposal continue through 2033.  It would be irresponsible to assume that the cost of a project in 2033 would be the same as in 2025. 

DCS has plans to continue implementing the bond series strategy to assist in this area.  This strategy avoids issuing all bonds immediately and instead completes bond sales over time.  Each bond series timing and dollar amount is flexible allowing for protection and options throughout the process.  The bond series strategy is also advantageous as the school district avoids immediately paying interest on all bonds immediately but instead completes smaller bond sales over time with a a year’s time period of bond repayment before a new bond is added. The present plan is four bond sales in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031.  The bond series strategy is flexible and can never exceed the amount approved by the community.

In the event that economic conditions and property value growth are not satisfactory or the 8.5 bond millage rate could be affected, the school district and cancel, delay, or downsize planned bond sales accordingly.  In the present plan this includes four opportunities in which the school district can evaluate conditions that exist at the time and proceed accordingly.

Changing interest rate environments provide two potential routes for DCS.  If the interest rate environment is higher and not satisfactory, the school district can cancel, delay, or downsize planned bond sales to compensate as discussed above.  However, if a low interest rate environment exists, with the ability to lock into low long-term interest rates, the school district can accelerate or increase the size of bond sales to take advantage of the lower borrowing cost available.  The bond series strategy provides both of these options depending on the interest rate market available.  

It is estimated that the 2025 Bond projects will cost $241,865,000. However, it is estimated there will not be a tax increase because of the fiscally responsible management of previous bonds that are being paid off over the next few years. 

As the District continues to pay off past and current bond obligations with debt millages, it is estimated that the average debt millage will stay at 8.5 mills even as new debt is added to the debt structure. Districts can do this by issuing the total authorized bonds in multiple series and extending the bond millage rate into the future. 

Millage Rates Tax Year 2024

Millage Rates Tax Year 2023

No, paying salaries from bond dollars is against state law. Bond dollars cannot be used for operational costs like teacher, administrator, or employee salaries, facility maintenance, repairs, or energy costs. Bond construction dollars must be accounted for separately from general fund operating funds and are audited annually by auditors who work for and report directly to the Board of Education. 

Bond proceeds can be used for the following items: 

• Safety and Security upgrades; 
• Construction and remodeling of facilities; 
• Purchase of technology equipment and infrastructure; 
• Purchase of equipment and furniture; 
• Site improvements; and 
• Purchase of buses. 

Bond proceeds cannot be used for the following items: 

• Staff salaries and wages; 
• General operating expenses, repairs, and maintenance; 
• Classroom supplies and textbooks; and 
• Administrative costs. 

The State of Michigan provides per-pupil funding to educate students. The entire district annual budget is approximately $55,000,000 and over 90% is spent on teachers and staff. The cost of updating facilities is not feasible within this annual budget while still providing the quality of education the community looks to Dexter Community Schools to provide. For example, only replacing the roofs throughout the district would cost over $19,000,000 or 35% of the annual budget. Michigan’s school annual per-pupil funding model does not allow for large capital expenditures to be covered by general fund and is designed for communities to support school districts through bond proposals. 

Yes. It is anticipated that several of the 2025 Bond projects will provide savings: 

• The heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system upgrades that will take place in most of the other buildings will provide significant savings. 
• Replacing existing lighting with LED fixtures will provide considerable energy cost savings. 
• Emergency backup generators will allow the District to continue instruction when there is a power outage. 
• Significant service and repair costs will be saved with the new technology systems, the multi-function copiers, and most of the other new systems. 
• New energy management systems will conserve energy and significantly reduce energy and utility costs across the District. 
• In total, the overall operating costs for all the projects included in the 2025 Bond are expected to reduce current maintenance and operating costs for the systems in their current condition. 

Voters approve a millage rate: 

• A mill is $1 per $1,000 of taxable value. 
• On a home with $100,000 of taxable value, 1 mill is $100 in property taxes. 

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

Bonds will be available for purchase on the open market by investors. The school district aims for a low borrowing cost but does not engage in direct investor relations. After the May 6 election, DCS will connect interested investors with the bond underwriter handling the sale. The bond coupon rate is currently unknown and will be determined by market conditions at the time of sale.

The proposal includes a four-series bond program with sales in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031, each ranging from $60–$90 million, providing multiple purchase opportunities.

While no one can predict the future, the District has implemented the bond series strategy to assist in this area.  This strategy avoids issuing all bonds immediately and completes the bond sales over time.  Each bond sale timing and dollar amount is flexible, allowing for protection and options throughout the process.  The bond series strategy is also advantageous as the school district avoids immediately paying interest on all bonds immediately but instead completes smaller bond sales over time with year’s time period of bond repayment before a new bond issue is added.  The present plan is four bond sales in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031.  The bond series strategy is flexible and can never exceed the amount approved by the community.

In the event that economic conditions and property value growth are not satisfactory or the 8.50 bond millage rate could be affected, the school district can cancel, delay, or downsize planned bond sales accordingly.  In the present plan this includes four opportunities in which the school district can evaluate conditions that exist at the time and proceed accordingly.    

Changing interest rate environments provide two potential routes for the school district.  If the interest rate environment is higher and not satisfactory, the school district can cancel, delay, or downsize planned bond sales to compensate as discussed above.  However, if a low interest rate environment exists, with the ability to lock into low long-term interest rates, the school district can accelerate or increase the size of bond sales to take advantage of the lower borrowing cost available.  The bond series strategy provides both of these options depending on the interest rate market available.   

The plan is to begin exterior-facing projects at the high school and the Wylie addition in 2025-2026. Simultaneously, we will start designing the Creekside renovations, aiming for construction to begin in 2027-2028. The renovations are expected to take about 18 months. The earliest the full transition—moving 7th/8th graders to Creekside and 5th/6th graders to Mill Creek—could occur is 2028 or 2029. 

The 2025 bond proposal is a 4-series bond, meaning sales are divided into four phases to fund projects as scheduled, saving taxpayers money and focusing efforts.

2025: Sale of ~$60M in bonds to fund:

• 7 classrooms at Wylie
• Secure entrance & front entrance work at DHS
• CTE space for building trades/woodshop at DHS
• Additional indoor athletic space at DHS
• Instruments for 5th/6th grade band & orchestra
• Design of Creekside renovation + smaller district-wide projects

2027: Sale of ~$75M for:

• Major Creekside renovation
• DHS science, art, music rooms & classrooms
• District-wide work
• All K-8 students housed east of Baker Rd.
• Creekside renovations expected to span 2027-2029, with 7th/8th graders moving in 2028-2029.

2029: Sale of ~$90M for:

• Mill Creek renovations
• Remaining Wylie upgrades
• Additional DCS building renovations

2031:

If the Bond is approved by voters, we will start designing the Creekside renovations in 2025-2026 aiming for construction to begin in 2027-2028. The renovations are expected to take about 18 months. The earliest the full transition—moving 7th/8th graders to Creekside and 5th/6th graders to Mill Creek—could occur is 2028 or 2029.

Starting around 2027, we anticipate moving all of the K-8 students on the Baker Road side of the campus. 

The current plan would be to build the addition with 7 classrooms to Wylie in 2026. Once that addition is completed, we would then utilize the additional space at Wylie for one grade level, utilize space at DEEC for an additional grade level (essentially keeping the 2nd graders for a 3rd grade year), utilize Bates as needed, and ideally continue with one grade level at Creekside if we can keep open a key hallway in the building. 

We anticipate the major renovations at Creekside to take up to 18 months to complete.  If we can start the renovations in June when school lets out, we can complete a mid-year move so the shuffling will only be necessary for 18 months.  We have multiple plans based on what enrollment looks like in the grade levels at the time but this is the most likely scenario.  In recent years, our kindergarten classes have been around 220 students.  If that trend continues, this plan works.  If we experience larger kindergarten classes in high 200's then we will utilize part of Mill Creek and more of Bates during the transition.  

The bond is comprehensive to provide spaces, updates, and instruments for DCS arts and science programming.  For example, in the 2017 bond, the District built new band and choir rooms at Mill Creek and completely renovated the orchestra room, alongside other district-wide updates.

The 2025 bond proposal includes new music and art rooms at Creekside, updates to high school music rooms (including flooring replacement), a new theater at Creekside, improvements to the high school CPA (lights, curtains, carpet, sound, and technology), updates to the DHS scene shop, and additional music storage at multiple locations.

This proposal also funds instruments for all 5th and 6th grade students who elect to participate in band or orchestra. Historically, parents have had to rent or purchase instruments. The district providing these instruments allows students to explore their options without parents committing to a multi-year rental or purchase for an instrument their student may not continue playing.

The community committee’s facility analysis recommended more indoor athletic space. Over 2,500 DCS students participate in athletics, and with our district’s large size and Michigan weather, gyms are in constant use. The high school gym averages 40 hours of use per week year-round, in addition to daily school use. Serving an 84-square-mile area across Washtenaw and Livingston counties, DCS functionally serves as the community recreation center and has historically managed facilities to serve both our students and the community.

The Wellness Center is used for a DHS class during a slow time at the center, but is a full-time community facility.  The Dexter Wellness Center serves community members and does not include competition-level spaces for athletics.  

The DCS community has a small window of opportunity to have this election to fund District projects at no tax increase to residents and to maintain facilities that require major capital project funding.

The community has generously supported funding proposals for the District in recent years including:

• Series 1: Funded approximately $60 million worth of projects, including the construction of Beacon Elementary, the Ceriani Building, Twin Turfs at the high school, Quad Fields, classroom furniture, technology upgrades, buses, and mechanical infrastructure improvements.
• Series 2: The Board of Education approved several projects to complete the Series 2 work funded by the 2017 bond. These projects included both visible enhancements throughout the district, and infrastructure projects such as parking lots, windows, swimming pool mechanical upgrades and HVAC to maintain the facilities.

2008 Bond Proposal: In 2008, Dexter voters approved $47.8 million for remodeling and constructing additions for energy conservation and security, acquiring land and developing sites, including outdoor athletics fields and playgrounds, furnishing and equipping buildings, acquiring and installing technology, and acquiring buses.

The State of Michigan provides per-pupil funding to educate students. The entire district annual budget is approximately $55,000,000 and over 90% is spent on teachers and staff. The cost of updating facilities is not feasible within this annual budget while still providing the quality of education the community looks to Dexter Community Schools to provide. For example, only replacing the roofs throughout the district would cost over $19,000,000 or 35% of the annual budget. Michigan’s school annual per-pupil funding model does not allow for large capital expenditures to be covered by general fund and is designed for communities to support school districts through bond proposals. 

In Michigan, all registered voters have the right to vote by absentee ballot. Voters can apply for an Absent Voter Ballot (AVB) starting 75 days before Election Day. Here's a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Request an Absentee Ballot:

• Online: Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to apply online.
• By Mail: Download and print the absentee ballot application from the Michigan Secretary of State's website, then mail it to your local clerk.
• In Person: Visit your local clerk's office to request and complete an application. Voters may also register for the permanent absentee voter list by visiting the Washtenaw County Clerk's website at - https://www.washtenaw.org/FormCenter/Clerk-25/Permanent-Absent-Voter-List-Registration-179.

2. Receive Your Ballot: Absentee ballots are available and distributed beginning 40 days before the election. (https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/absentee-voting)
3. Complete Your Ballot: Follow the instructions provided with your ballot carefully to ensure your vote is counted.
4. Return Your Ballot:

• By Mail: Return your completed ballot by mail.
• Drop Box: Place your ballot in an official drop box designated by your local clerk.
• In Person: Deliver your ballot directly to your local clerk's office.

5. Track Your Ballot:

• You can track the status of your absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index
• For more detailed information, visit the Michigan Secretary of State's absentee voting page.

• March 27, 2025 – Absentee voter ballots are available to the general public. 
• April 21, 2025 – Last day for voters to register to vote by mail or online 
• May 6, 2025 – Election Day Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
• Final day to vote absentee is 8:00 pm on Election Day. You can do so by turning your ballot in at the polls or dropping it in a secure drop box in your jurisdiction. To avoid the potential for mailing delays, it is recommended that you mail your absentee ballot at least 14 days prior to an election to ensure it is received in time. 

• If you're registering within 14 days of an election, you must provide proof of residency.
• If you register to vote in person, you will be asked for a photo ID. If you don't have one, you can sign a simple form called an affidavit and then register to vote.

How to register: A voter registration application may be requested in person at a local clerk’s office or a satellite clerk’s office location. The application may be completed on-site and submitted or taken home and submitted later. Use the search tool on the Michigan Voter Information website to identify your clerk using your address. 

Deadline: Applications must be received by, or postmarked as sent to your local clerk's office at least 15 days before Election Day in order to be processed in time for the next election. Within 14 days of an election, voters must submit a voter registration application in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk’s office. Learn more about proof of residency.

Voters in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day have the right to register to vote in person at their local clerk’s office.

Residents may register to vote by mail or online up to 15 days prior to an Election.

Register to Vote Online:

• Michigan driver's license number or Michigan ID number
  AND
• Last 4-digits of Social Security number

How to register: Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to complete and submit an online application.

Deadline: Voters may register to vote online 15 or more days prior to Election Day.

Within 14 days of an election, voters must register in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk's office.

Register to Vote by Mail:

• Michigan driver's license number or Michigan state ID number
  OR
• Last 4-digits of Social Security number
  OR
• If you do not have a Michigan driver's license, Michigan ID number, or Social Security number, you can check the box that says "I don't have a valid Michigan-issued driver's license or Michigan-issued state ID card, or a Social Security number." If you do not have either of these forms of identification and you are registering to vote in Michigan for the first time, you can include a COPY of a current and valid photo ID, paycheck stub, utility bill, bank statement, or government document that lists your name and address.

Deadline: Scanned and emailed applications should be sent to the voter's local clerk 15 or more days before Election Day. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked as sent at least 15 days before Election Day.

Within 14 days of an election, voters must register in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk's office.

View printable voter registration application

Residents may not register to vote at their Precinct on Election Day.

To find your designated polling location, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index.

Early voting is required for statewide and national elections but not required for local elections.  The elections coordinating committee comprised of municipalities and the school district is not offering early voting for this local election due to the cost. Approximately 1/3 of registered voters within the Dexter Community School District's boundaries are on the automatic absentee ballot list and will receive absentee ballots.  

Dexter Community Schools values being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and directing the funds to supporting our students. The cost of offering early voting is estimated to be over $40,000 due to the need to staff polling sites for nine (9) additional days, send multiple mailings regarding the early voting dates and locations, and other mailings regarding absentee ballots and the election date precinct locations. Please see the section on absentee ballots for more information on how to request an absentee ballot.

Unfortunately, parents whose children are attending the Dexter Community Schools as schools of choice reside outside of the District and are not able to participate in the election. To clarify, your taxes go to the school district you live in.

OFFICIAL BALLOT

Shall the Dexter Community Schools, Counties of Washtenaw and Livingston, State of Michigan, borrow the principal sum of not to exceed Two Hundred Forty-One Million Eight Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($241,865,000) and issue its unlimited tax general obligation 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:

• Erecting additions to school buildings and other facilities and remodeling, equipping and reequipping, furnishing and refurnishing school buildings, additions, playgrounds, athletic fields and facilities and other facilities, including for secure entryways, modernizing instructional, fine arts, theater, music, weight and fitness spaces;
• Erecting, equipping and furnishing school facilities, athletic and other facilities, including for an indoor athletic facility and maintenance building;
• Acquiring, preparing, developing and improving sites for school buildings, including athletic fields, playgrounds and other facilities and the purchase of school buses;
• Acquiring and installing technology equipment and technology infrastructure, in school buildings and other facilities?

___ 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 remain at or below 8.5 mills which is an estimated -0- mill increase from the debt millage levied in 2024. The estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year is 1.55 mills ($1.55 per $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire each series of the bonds is 4.18 mills annually ($4.18 per $1,000 of taxable value). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is not more than thirty (30) years.

If approved by the voters, the repayment of the bonds will be guaranteed by the State under the School Bond Qualification and Loan Program (the “Program”). The School District currently has $77,320,000 of qualified bonds outstanding and $651,119 of qualified loans outstanding under the Program. The School District expects to borrow from the Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of the additional borrowing is $6,687,504 and the estimated total interest thereon is $1,686,616. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 9 years. 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.)