Unfazed by inflation, voters approve school funding measures in Oakland County districts

Oakland County's primary election results reflected the widespread and expected low turnout of voters in primaries across Michigan.

But the results also belied public worries about inflation, instead speaking to a pro-education sentiment that, school officials said, was vital for sustaining quality public schools in their three school districts.

Drawing attention to the importance of voting, even in primary elections, and some would argue especially in primary elections, was Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. She spent Tuesday morning paying a visit to Berkley High School, praising public schools and saying she wanted to assure Michiganders that their voting systems were accurate and virtually fraud-proof.

As for electing candidates, Oakland County's primary election concerned only a single city, Southfield, where four candidates for clerk sought two spots on the November ballot, hoping to be elected for the seat to be vacated when the current clerk steps down. Those voters will have until November before they make a final decision on who should be the elected clerk at Southfield City Hall.

But there's to be no second bite at the apple for the school districts of Berkley, Clawson and Novi, where voters cast ballots to decide crucial school-funding questions. All of those funding measures passed, and by substantial margins.

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Berkley Schools

The school district wanted voters to approve a hefty bond sale of up to $88 million to pay for a long list of investments in facilities, furniture and equipment, saying on its website: "It has been 15 to 35 years (depending on the project) since the District has been able to fund upgrades to athletics, performing arts, science labs and classroom furniture."

Berkley residents responded favorably. They approved the big bond measure with 4,706 yes votes (69.34%) to 2,081 no votes (30.66%). The district said the money would be used to build a large indoor sports practice building that will double as a site for the robotics team, and for additions to several school buildings including improvements to the high school auditorium's lobby, replacing desks and other furniture throughout the district, adding "instructional technology" such as computers and whiteboards, and improving playgrounds and athletic fields.

Superintendent Scott Francis called it "a great night for Berkley schools" and said he was grateful to voters in Huntington Woods and the north section of Oak Park, which, in addition to Berkley, comprise the district.

Clawson Schools

The school district wanted voters to approve a bond sale not to exceed $25.5 million to pay for improving school sites after money from a previous bond ran out, leaving many projects incomplete. Voters gave a thumbs-up with 1,214 yes votes (57.48%) to 898 no votes (42.52%). The money will go toward, among many projects, remodeling and equipping the district's Early Childhood Center.

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Novi Schools

The school district's funding request was "not an increase," officials said on the website and in statements.

Their ballot measure, which asked voters to approve an operating millage for 11 years, was, in effect, a renewal that would "enable the school district to receive its revenue-per-pupil foundation allowance" from the state. That proposal passed with 2,709 yes votes (58.36%) to 1,933 no votes (41.64%).

And in a second ballot measure, the Novi school board asked voters to renew the district's operating millage for "public recreation and playgrounds." That proposal also passed. There were 3,069 yes votes (65.96%) and 1,584 no votes (34.04%).

Ben Mainka, superintendent of the Novi Community School District, said in a statement why he felt the funding measures were essential: “Over the last decade, our non-homestead property taxes have eroded from the state allowable 18 mills that can be levied for our operating millage. We are asking voters to restore our ability to levy the 18 mills on non-homestead properties and also provide a future buffer from erosion on that millage.

"Also, our community recreation millage is expiring. Both of these funds are critical to our operating dollars, which allow us to support our incredible staff and programs, as well as offer our community the amenities they have come to expect.”

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Southfield City Clerk

In Southfield, where four residents ran for city clerk, the two top vote-getters are moving on to the general election in November, when voters will elect one as Southfield's next clerk for a four-year term.

The two chosen by Tuesday's primary voters were Janet Jackson with 5,471 votes (66.05%); and Gabi Grossbard, trailing Jackson considerably with 1,198 votes (14.46%). Eliminated from contention were Barbara Seldon with 1,190 (14.37%), just eight votes behind Grossbard, and Jay Reid with 424 votes (5.12%).

The current city clerk in Southfield is Allyson Bettis, who was appointed in December 2022 to fill the vacancy created when the city's former clerk was forced to resign after she pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of ballot tampering. At the time of her appointment, Bettis had retired after working 20 years as clerk and treasurer of Garden City. She had taken the job of deputy treasurer in Southfield and continued doing that after stepping in to fill the clerk's vacancy, Bettis said Tuesday.

"I'm a workaholic, I guess," she said with a laugh.

She'll continue as deputy treasurer after relinquishing the clerk's job, in part because she's a strong believer in the importance of local government, Bettis said. She also believes that people should never skip voting in any election.

"A lot of us here in city hall think that voters would do well to pay more attention to what happens at the local level. Remember, it's the local people who maintain your parks, educate your children and run your city," Bettis said.

Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland County primary election results: School funding gets thumbs up