Project at a Glance

About the DPS School Construction Project

The DPS School Construction Project is building and renovating the district’s facilities funded with $500.5 million federal stimulus dollars following voter approval in Nov. 2009 of the Proposal S Bond Referendum. The project will also implement district-wide initiatives including more technology in classrooms and improved security measures in all schools. DPS is on an aggressive schedule make all capital improvements by 2012 to be compliant with federal guidelines.

Detroit voters approved the Proposal S Bond Referendum in Nov. 2009 which enabled the district to access $500.5 million in federal dollars for school capital improvement projects. DPS received the 6th largest allocation in the nation. Federal regulations stipulate the bond dollars must be spent within three years.

This project points to DPS’ progress of creating safe, new leaning facilities for DPS students to achieve their potential.

It also provides more work for Detroit-based companies and more jobs for Detroit residents. More than 60% of all subcontracts were awarded to Detroit-headquartered businesses and more than 50% of all worker hours were performed by Detroit residents, a mark that well exceeds the regional average goal of 25% to 45%.

 

About Proposal S

In Nov. 2009, voters passed the Proposal S Bond Referendum, which gave DPS access to $500.5 million in stimulus dollars under President Barack Obama. DPS received the 6th largest allocation of qualified school construction bonds in the country.

The funds come to DPS in the form of no-interest and low-interest bonds available under the national economic stimulus package. These dollars must be spent within three years.

There is no tax increase from Proposal S. Taxes will remain the same.

 

Project Advisory and Fiscal Responsibility Committee Members

  • Mayor Dave Bing, City of Detroit
  • John Conyers, Jr., U.S. Congressman, Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary
  • Naif A. Khouri, Vice President and Treasurer of DTE Energy
  • Derrick Saunders, Recording Corresponding Secretary and Executive Director Stationary Division International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324
  • Tia Shepherd, Co-Chair of the Detroit Citywide Parents Advisory Committee
  • Mumtaz Usmen, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering at Wayne State University
  • Rev. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP
  • Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit City Councilwoman
  • Keith Johnson, President, Detroit Federation of Teachers
  • Rev. Oscar King III, Pastor, Northwest Unity Baptist Church and President, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity
  • Hiram Jackson, Publisher, The Michigan Chronicle
  • Sandra E. Pierce, President and CEO, Charter One Bank, and President of the Board, Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Dolores Smith Jackson, parent, Interim Chairman, Citywide School Community Organization
  • Toney Stewart, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 687
  • Michael Aaron, Laborers Union Council 1191