Dearborn Public Schools Embark on Historic Infrastructure Overhaul
Dearborn Public Schools have set in motion an ambitious $1.51 billion bond proposal, scheduled for the November 3, 2026 ballot, aiming to revolutionize the district’s educational facilities.
This groundbreaking initiative, spanning two decades, intends to either replace or extensively renovate every school within the district, all while maintaining the current property tax rate for Dearborn homeowners. However, residents in Dearborn Heights, within the district’s jurisdiction, will experience a minor tax increase.
Superintendent Mike Esseily emphasized the necessity of substantial investments, stating, “Small investments produce small results, and Dearborn’s kids deserve more than a Band-Aid on a system that needs to be rebuilt.” He assured that within 20 years, each school and building in the district would undergo replacement or significant remodeling.
Kathi Martin, leading the Dearborn Federation of Teachers, pointed out the critical impact of deteriorating infrastructure on teachers and students. She recounted incidents like a 5th grader in a wheelchair compelled to switch schools due to an inoperative elevator, along with persistent pest problems and inadequate ventilation exacerbating asthma conditions.
“These are not just maintenance issues, they affect the health, safety, and daily experiences of the people inside our schools,” Martin noted. “Investing in our facilities is investing in student success. This is not about luxury. It is about necessity.”
If endorsed by voters in November, this bond will facilitate district-wide enhancements across 36 facilities, including the establishment of six new preschool-through-8th-grade campuses. Additionally, traditional high schools—Fordson, Dearborn High, and Edsel Ford—will undergo preservation and modernization.
School Board Trustee Mary Petlichkoff explained that the proposal integrates insights from two comprehensive district studies: the Fielding study, which assessed future spatial and educational needs, and the Quinn Evans study, which focused on structural preservation.
“We believe we have found the right formula,” Petlichkoff stated. “We can do this with the least impact to our taxes, and still generate the funds needed to build the quality of schools our students deserve now and into the future.”
The district plans to implement construction in four phases over 20 years, actively seeking public input before each phase to ensure the plans align with community needs.
