Dearborn Public Schools asks voters for a $1.51 billion bond. Here is what it would do to your tax bill

DEARBORN, Mich. — Dearborn Public Schools is asking voters on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to approve a $1.51 billion bond, the largest in the district's history, to replace or rebuild most of its school buildings over the next two decades.

The proposal would levy 3.14 mills. The district's bond page says homeowners in the city of Dearborn would see no net change in their total school and city rate, which would stay at 26.30 mills, because two other levies would drop off at the same time: the city's 0.96-mill sewer levy for combined sewer overflow work is ending, and the district plans to stop levying its 2.18-mill homestead operating tax.

That offset does not reach everyone. According to the district's figures, non-homestead property in Dearborn, such as businesses and rentals, would pay 2.18 mills more. Homeowners in the part of Dearborn Heights served by the district would pay 0.96 mill more, and non-homestead owners there would pay the full 3.14 mills. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

The plan calls for six new preK-8 buildings and major renovations at Fordson, Dearborn and Edsel Ford high schools, built in four phases over about 20 years. The debt would be repaid over about 30 years. The first phase includes secure entry vestibules at 24 schools, according to the district.

District leaders have pointed to how little Dearborn has borrowed. MLive reported the district has issued only about $76 million in bonds over the past 20 years, and that a $240 million bond failed in 2019 by 242 votes. Plante Moran Realpoint would serve as the owner's representative for a fee of 1.5%, MLive reported.

The district says the plan would replace or modernize aging buildings rather than keep patching them. Taxpayers weighing the request may want to look closely at the length of the commitment: a 20-year building program financed over roughly 30 years, with later phases priced years before construction starts.

The district posts the full project list, phase schedule and tax examples on its bond website. Voters can also check their sample ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Michigan voters can request an absentee ballot by mail or online through Friday, Oct. 30, and in person at their clerk's office through 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Early in-person voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Sources:
Dearborn Public Schools, “2026 Transformational Bond,” https://dearbornschools.org/2026-transformational-bond/
Dearborn Public Schools, “District seeking $1.51 billion bond on November ballot,” June 23, 2026, https://dearbornschools.org/facilities-planning/2026/06/23/district-seeking-1-51-billion-bond-on-november-ballot/
MLive, “Dearborn schools seek $1.51B bond. What voters need to know,” October 2026, https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2026/10/dearborn-schools-seek-151b-bond-what-voters-need-to-know.html
Michigan Voter Information Center, https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/
Photo: w_lemay, “Fordson High School, Ford Road, Fordson, Dearborn, MI - 54273726249.jpg,” Sept. 6, 2024, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and color-adjusted, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fordson_High_School,_Ford_Road,_Fordson,_Dearborn,_MI_-_54273726249.jpg

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Tags: Dearborn · Dearborn Public Schools · School Bonds · Property Taxes · Election 2026