DPS Millage Renewal

A strong DPSCD is the foundation of a
strong community, strong neighborhoods,
and a stronger Detroit.

DPSCD Tele-Town Hall July 23, 2020

What is the DPS Millage Renewal

The Detroit Public Schools non-homestead operating millage renewal on the Tuesday, August 4, 2020, ballot will help Detroit Public Schools Community District:

• Provide students the critical skills they need to get good-paying jobs,
• Ensure students are career and college-ready so they can compete in the global marketplace, including the skilled trades, and
• Support a safe return to school by providing more access to online learning, unique learning opportunities in areas like art and music, and access to mental health supports, school-based health clinics, and greater access to social workers and counselors.

Investing in our schools through this operating millage renewal will help us attract and retain families and businesses in our city, foster strong neighborhoods, and keep our property values strong.

What every taxpayer should know

• The DPS non-homestead operating millage renewal is a fiscally responsible proposal and every dollar will be tracked to ensure transparency, accountability, and that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
• The DPS non-homestead operating millage renewal only applies to owners of rental properties, business properties and vacation homes – a homeowner’s property taxes will not be impacted.
• DPSCD, under its elected Board and appointed Superintendent, has a proven track record of responsible stewardship and fiscal transparency, and we undergo annual independent financial audits that are available to the public online.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Detroit Public Schools non-homestead operating millage renewal?

• The non-homestead millage renewal is a continuation of the current operating millage that levies 18 mills on non-homestead properties.
• The revenue from the millage supports day-to-day operations – from ensuring students have the skills they need to compete for jobs to providing students much-needed access to wrap-around services including mental health supports, school-based health clinics, and greater access to social workers and counselors.

2. How much will the operating millage renewal cost homeowners?

• Zero. This millage only applies to non-homestead properties like business, rental and vacation properties, not your primary residence.

3. How can we know the money will go to the classroom?

• DPSCD, under its elected Board and appointed Superintendent, has a proven track record of responsible stewardship and fiscal transparency, and we undergo annual independent financial audits which are available to the public online
• If this proposal passes, every dollar spent will be tracked and available on a public website to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

4. My kids are grown and no longer in school. Why should I care about this proposal?

• Strong schools make our community a great place to live, raise a family, work or launch a business.
• Strong schools attract talent, new families and small businesses that strengthen our local economy and help continue Detroit’s economic comeback.
• Investing in our schools through this millage renewal will help us attract and retain families and businesses in our city, foster strong neighborhoods and keep our property values strong.

5. Why is the district seeking this renewal in the middle of a pandemic?

• With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting families across Detroit, it has never been more important to renew our investment in Detroit’s students, families and schools.
• While all of us are focused on the crisis at hand, we need to plan for the future of DPSCD to ensure students are career and college-ready so they can compete in the global marketplace.
• The millage renewal will support a safe return to school for students following the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring continued funding so students and teachers can safely return to school with more access to online learning and unique learning opportunities in areas like art and music, as well as much-needed access to wrap-around services including mental health supports, school-based health clinics, and greater access to social workers and counselors.

6. Do the 18 mills actually go to DPCSD? 

• The funds collected from the non-homestead millage are used to repay DPS’ operating debt.
• Although we are not receiving millage revenues directly, the state is replacing every penny in full from the School Aid Fund.
• Once DPS’ operating debt is paid off, the millage will end and voters will have the choice to renew a millage to support DPSCD.

7. What happens if the non-homestead millage is not renewed?

• Without the non-homestead millage, homeowners will likely pay higher property taxes because creditors can require the city Treasurer to enforce payment of the debt by all taxpayers in the district.

8. Where can I read the actual ballot language of the proposal?

• Read the ballot language online
  • State or Michigan: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/
  • Wayne County: https://www.waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/election-information.aspx
  • City of Detroit: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/elections

Paid for by Detroit Public Schools Community District, Support Services Complex, Building A, 1425 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207 

DPSCD Tele-Town Hall June 25, 2020