February tends to make us think of cold, winter weather and maybe Valentine’s Day.
But for the first time this year, we can also think of elections.
Michigan law changed last year to move the presidential primary from March into February. The law also changed to allow Michigan voters for the first time to have Early Voting. This month voters can cast their ballots at a special polling place from Feb. 17 to 25. Schools will be closed on Feb. 27 for the actual election because many of our schools serve as polling places. Early Voting in Dearborn will be held at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center and will not affect the school schedule.
Besides the presidential primary, two local questions will also be on the ballot. Dearborn Public Schools is asking voters for an Operating Millage Renewal. The Operating Millage has been in place since Proposal A changed school funding in 1994. This money is used for regular expenses including staffing, supplies, utility bills, busing and extracurricular activities. The Operating Millage Renewal is not a new tax, and it is not a bond for new building construction or renovations. The Operating Millage represents 16 percent, or $41 million, of the district’s general fund budget. If it is not renewed, the district would fall to one of the lowest per pupil funding revenues in the state and be forced to make cuts across most schools and programs.
You can learn more on the district’s Operating Millage Renewal website.
We are encouraging all of our parents and families to learn more and plan to vote on or before Feb. 27. In fact, the district has launched a Get 2 to Vote campaign, encouraging our community to recruit two other people to also vote in this month’s election to make sure their voices are heard.