2026 Bond Proposal

What is on the November 3 ballot?

Eastpointe Community Schools is asking voters to consider a $99 million Bond Proposal. If approved, the school district would issue bonds to fund major improvements to the Early Learning Center and Eastpointe High School.

Why is Eastpointe Community Schools considering a bond proposal?

School buildings need major updates as roofs, heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, technology, and other building systems age. A review of school buildings identified major areas for improvement at Eastpointe High School. It also found that the school district has more building space than it currently needs. The bond proposal would address these needs while making better use of school space.

What Would the Bond Proposal Fund?

Bond proceeds would be used for projects including:

• Updating the Early Learning Center
• Consolidating the MS and HS buildings
• Moving the Administration offices to the high school facility
• Creating better teaching and learning opportunities for our early childhood and secondary students.

How long would the bond last?

The bond term is 32 years.

What is the purpose of the Early Learning Center improvements?

The projects strengthen safety, modernize classrooms, update building systems, and repairs the building exterior. These upgrades ensure the Early Learning Center can support high-quality early childhood programming and meet the needs of families seeking strong pre-kindergarten options. Currently, the ELC is nearing capacity and improvements are required for the school district to keep providing high-quality educational programming for our youngest learners.

Why is early childhood programming a priority for Eastpointe?

Early childhood enrollment is increasing statewide and in Eastpointe. Families expect strong programs for three- and four-year-old learners. High-quality early learning improves kindergarten readiness, strengthens long-term academic outcomes, and stabilizes district enrollment. More than fifty percent of the Early Childhood students who enrolled with ECS continued on to kindergarten in the district. 

Strong early childhood programming brings families into the district earlier and keeps them engaged through graduation. Modern facilities signal that Eastpointe is investing in its youngest learners and responding to community expectations.

How does the ELC project support the statewide push for early childhood access?

Michigan continues to expand Great Start Readiness Program opportunities. To qualify and grow, school districts must provide safe, developmentally appropriate, modern learning environments. The planned improvements directly support these requirements through updated classrooms, improved ventilation, secure entry systems, and technology upgrades.

Why move the middle school to the high school campus?

The school district has more building space than it needs. The bond proposal would move middle school students to the high school campus. This would allow the school district to reduce operational costs and enhance programs for students.

Would middle school and high school students be together all day?

Plans include separate areas for middle and high school students. The school district has identified separate entrances, schedules, supervision, and how students would move through the building. 

Would middle school students have their own space?

Yes. The proposed design would provide middle school students with their own age-appropriate learning areas within the 6–12 campus. There will be some shared spaces, but scheduling will allow for MS and HS separation.

How would student safety be addressed?

Student safety is an important part of the planning process. Plans would address how students move through the building, supervision, entrances, schedules, and shared spaces. The goal is to create distinct middle and high school experiences while benefiting from the resources available on a shared campus.  In addition, both schools currently have safety officers who would all transition to the single campus. 

Would middle and high school students share any spaces?

Some spaces would be shared when appropriate, including the Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms, media center, gymnasium, and auditorium. These spaces would be used on planned schedules with staff supervision. The proposed campus is designed to give students access to specialized learning spaces while maintaining separate learning environments for middle school and high school students.

What is the estimated tax rate for the bond proposal?

The estimated millage that would be levied to pay the proposed bonds is 3.50 mills. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Use the chart below to estimate your annual cost. Keep in mind that the longer you have lived in your home, your taxable value is typically less than one half of your market value.

Is taxable value the same as the market value of my home?

No. Property taxes are calculated using taxable value, not the home's market or sale price. Residents can find the taxable value of their property on their most recent property tax statement or through their local assessing office.

Is this the same proposal that was on the ballot in May 2026?

No. The operating millage and the November Bond Proposal serve different purposes.

Voters approved a bond in 2023. Why is another bond being considered?

Voters approved a bond program in 2023 to fund a specific list of school improvements focused at the elementary level. The school district has been completing those projects, including improvements to heating and cooling systems, school facilities, technology infrastructure, security equipment, and other building systems. 

The November 2026 bond proposal is separate from the 2023 bond. It would address updates to the Early Learning Center and Eastpointe High School to make it a 6-12 unified campus. The November 2026 bond has its own projects, amount, and tax impact and requires voter approval. A detailed list of completed, ongoing, and remaining 2023 bond projects is available on the school district's website.

Can bond money be used for salaries?

No. State law prohibits bond proceeds from being used for teacher, administrator, or employee salaries, repair or maintenance costs, or other operating expenses.

Why use fewer school buildings?

Operating school buildings costs money for utilities, staffing, maintenance, repairs, security, technology, and building systems. The school district has looked at how much space is needed for current and future students based on enrollment projections. Using fewer buildings would allow the school district to focus its resources on the schools that will continue serving students.

How does enrollment affect facility planning?

The number and ages of students help determine how much school space is needed. The goal is to have enough space for students without paying to operate more building space than the school district needs.

Does consolidation mean Eastpointe Community Schools is moving away from neighborhood schools?

The proposed change only affects middle and high school students. Eastpointe Community Schools would continue serving students and families throughout the community while evaluating how its facilities can be used most efficiently.

Are these changes a result of Schools of Choice enrollment?

No. In fact, Eastpointe Community Schools has the lowest percentage of School of Choice (SOC) enrollment among the districts in our area. More than 90% of the students we educate are district residents. The overwhelming majority of the students who would benefit from these investments live right here in our community.

How would the proposal affect students?

Students would see improvements to learning spaces, technology, building systems and school sites. Middle school students would also move to the high school campus as part of the proposed 6–12 campus plan.

Is the bond proposal only about buildings?

The bond would pay for buildings, site, technology, equipment, and other approved school improvements. School buildings also affect how students learn. Updated classrooms, technology, learning spaces, and building systems can better support school programs and students. By law, bond money cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs. 

Will the bond proposal pay for curriculum or additional teachers?

No. Bond proceeds cannot be used for employee salaries or general operating expenses. Curriculum, staff, and student programs are paid for through other school district funds.

Who makes sure bond funds are spent appropriately?

Bond money can only be spent on projects approved by voters and allowed under Michigan law. State law also requires bond spending to be audited.

What would happen to Eastpointe Middle School?

If the bond proposal is approved and middle school students are relocated to the high school campus, Eastpointe Middle School would no longer operate in its current role as the school district's middle school. The school district would then begin a process to decide how the property could be used in the future.

Has a final decision been made about the future of Eastpointe Middle School?

No. The Board of Education has not approved a future use for the property.

How would the school district decide its future use?

Community feedback has included ideas such as educational or training uses, community programming, recreation, administrative uses, partnerships or other possible uses. The school district would share information with the community as decisions about the property are made.

Why can't the school district just use its annual operating budget for these projects?

The annual operating budget supports the day-to-day operation of schools, including staffing, educational programs, utilities, transportation, supplies, and other ongoing expenses.

Large building projects can cost more than the school district can reasonably pay for through its yearly operating budget. Using operating funds for these projects could take money away from other school district needs. A bond allows the school district to pay for major building projects and repay the cost over time.

Who makes sure bond funds are spent appropriately?

Bond money can only be spent on projects approved by voters and allowed under Michigan law. State law also requires bond spending to be audited.

What happens if the bond proposal is approved?

If approved, the school district would be authorized to sell up to $99 million in bonds. The school district would then move forward with design, planning and construction. Projects would be completed in phases over several years.

When would projects begin?

Projects would be completed in phases based on need, construction schedules, and school operations.

Would all $99 million be spent at once?

No, the bond will be sold in multiple series. This allows the school district to sell bonds as money is needed for projects and to reduce interest costs.

How would the community know how the money is being spent?

The school district will provide ongoing public updates through Board of Education meetings, financial reports, project dashboards, construction updates, photographs, timelines, and its website. 

What happens if the bond proposal is not approved?

If the bond proposal is not approved, the building and facility needs would still exist, but the school district would not have the proposed bond funding to address them as planned. The school district would need to review the proposed projects, other funding options, and the timing of future improvements. Existing school buildings would continue to need maintenance and repairs using available school district funds.

The planned consolidation of the middle school into the high school for operational efficiency would also be delayed. That transition requires construction, reconfiguration, and upgrades to safely and appropriately accommodate middle school students within the high school facility. Without bond funding, the district cannot complete the work needed to achieve those efficiencies, meaning both buildings would continue operating separately, with higher ongoing costs for utilities and maintenance.

When is the election?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.  

Can I vote earlier than Election Day?

Registered voters may also vote in person during the early voting period before Election Day. Voters can find their early voting dates, hours and location through the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Who can vote on the bond proposal?

Registered voters who live within Eastpointe Community Schools may vote on the bond proposal.

How would this proposal affect residents who do not have children attending Eastpointe Community Schools?

The bond proposal is voted on by the community. The tax applies to taxable property within the school district. School buildings serve students and the community for many years. Residents are encouraged to review the proposal and determine how it would affect their individual property and the community.