Schools

$25.5M Lake Orion School Bond Fails

Lake Orion Community Schools residents vote against the proposal that would have updated technology, security, buses and buildings.

In a  Tuesday, residents voted against a proposed $25.5 million bond for Lake Orion Community Schools that would have provided updated technology and security, new buses and building repairs throughout the district. The district also serves residents in Oakland, Addison, Independence and Oxford townships and Auburn Hills.

"We have many challenges ahead," read a statement posted on the district's website Tuesday night. "Although the school bond proposal did not pass ... the district remains committed to provide what is necessary for our students to ensure achievement."

The proposed bond would have purchased new technology, including a wireless infrastructure, as well as new buses for the district's aging fleet. Some of the money would have also been used to increase security in the schools by installing video monitoring systems as well as for refurbishing buildings in the district. The district is also facing a net loss of more than $5.5 million in Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed budget.

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The bond would have raised the mill tax by 1.6 mills, meaning that an individual whose home could be sold for $200,000 would have seen a $160 increase in their annual taxes.

Lake Orion Community Schools said it remains committed to providing its students with a quality public education, saying, "It is time to put individual interests aside, work together to strengthen our community and redefine education in the Lake Orion Community Schools."

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