FAQs

The geothermal field restoration is on track to be completed by 7/26/23. Restoration grading and site concrete is scheduled to take place on 7/31/23 and final restoration will be completed thereafter.

Geothermal drilling is the process of using an advanced drilling system to cut boreholes into the earth and extract the earth’s heat. This new ground heat source requires the development of a well field outside of the school buildings at Clague Middle School and Forsythe Middle School, which will consist of over 100 bore holes that are nearly 500 ft deep.

Geothermal energy is more environmentally friendly than conventional fuel sources such as coal and other fossil fuels. It is a renewable energy source that is not only more reliable but also more cost effective for a building to use.

Drilling crews typically operate from 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Saturday. Because of the nature of this work, this is the most effective way to complete the work in a timely manner. If the crews were to reduce the hours of operation, they would extend the construction timeline into the winter months or spring, which is not feasible nor desirable.

AAPS continues to work with contractors responsible for the work to comply with the hours of operation and dB(A) levels outlined in the City of Ann Arbor municipal ordinance: Chapter 119 – Noise Control.

This project is expected to continue throughout the fall and has a completion date of November 2022.

*This schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen conditions.

This project is expected to continue throughout the fall and has a completion date of October 2022.

*This schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen conditions.

On November 5, 2019, voters in the Ann Arbor Public School District were asked to consider a bond proposal to upgrade school facilities and sites, enhance existing building security, and provide upgraded and sustainable learning environments throughout our district.  The bond program scope is based on a comprehensive facilities assessment conducted by independent architects and engineers to assess the improvements necessary to achieve the district’s goals and to keep our facilities in at least good condition.

The bond proposal includes:

• safety and security improvements
• improvements to classrooms, laboratories, kitchens, performing and fine arts and pool facilities
• solar, geothermal and other renewable energy improvements
• furnishings and equipment
• school buses and musical instruments
• instructional technology equipment
• site upgrades, including school gardens, athletic fields, athletic support facilities, playgrounds and parking

The goals to prepare AAPS for current and future generations fall into four areas:

• Teaching and Learning
• Safety, Health and Well-Being
• Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Infrastructure
• Efficient and Effective Support Systems and Services

All of these items will be delivered with the goal of providing equity across the district. Detailed areas of focus, including key thematic goals and the infrastructure determined necessary to meet those goals are outlined in this document.

• We understand that the Ann Arbor Public Schools community values a quality education for every child. To deliver that quality education, our goal is to provide a building environment that directly supports student achievement and the core mission of the district.
• The average age of the Ann Arbor Public School buildings is 63 years old with an average built year of 1956.
• Due to aging school buildings, a life cycle Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) was conducted by a professional architectural/engineering firm in 2017-2018 of every AAPS school.
• The FCA included the following components:
  • Building Structure – foundation, superstructure and stairwells
  • Building Envelope – walls, windows, doors and roof
  • Site Improvements – parking lots, walkways, signage, fencing, athletic fields, etc.
  • Building Interiors – doors and finishes (floors, paint, cabinets, lockers, etc)
  • Building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire safety (MEPR) Services – water systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, elevators, fire safety systems, communications systems and security systems
  • Equipment and Furnishings – kitchen equipment, pool equipment, scoreboards, theater systems, etc.
• Based on these findings the professional team determined the AAPS facilities are in good to fair condition and have had an adequate level of maintenance over the past few years. However, without substantial additional investment, many of the schools are likely to fall into the “poor” facility rating within a few years.
• Using the Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) a review of possible financial scenarios was conducted between December 2019 and June 2019.
• Matching the facility assessment with the financing options, the professional team, along with the District, determined that getting voter approval of a bond proposal is the preferred approach to finance the growing and long-term facility goals of the District.
• In addition to the FCA recommendations, this bond proposal includes bus purchases, technology, furniture, musical instruments, school gardens, improved kitchens, additions and new schools to meet enrollment growth as well as additional solar power, geothermal and remodeled classrooms to support goals of health and well-being.
• This plan creates upgraded and improved learning environments that support our understanding of the expectations of our community.

Each school community will be engaged in the design process for their school.  The chart (below) describes the typical steps in the engagement process.

As is district policy, the final designs and implementation plans are presented to the Board of Education for approval.

AAPS will report to the Board of Education and community on an annual basis.  The AAPS and school websites will regularly update information on the district and school-based projects.

Once construction contracts are awarded, the district’s bond program manager, project architects and engineers, and construction managers employ a number of construction related safety procedures including:

• Site safety orientations for new trade contractors
• Clear delineation between construction work areas and occupied school areas including fencing, barricades and appropriate signage
• iCHAT State of Michigan background check completed for all on-site contractors
• AAPS Contractor Identification Badges are provided to all on-site contractors and are required to be worn at all times on AAPS property
• Close coordination with school building administration
• Regular site inspections by the bond program management firm and AAPS personnel

Voters in neighboring districts approved bond programs to invest in their aging buildings.  Surrounding districts such as Dexter, Saline and Whitmore Lake have all launched voter-supported financing for facility upgrades in recent years. The following chart includes our neighboring districts’ current bond and sinking fund millage rates in comparison to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Work at our school facilities will be planned so it minimizes interference with day-to-day operations and pedestrian safety.  As the program commences, the construction schedule will be reviewed and coordinated, on a regular basis, with the superintendent and key building leaders.  While the summer construction season will be utilized for a majority of the work, if work is ongoing during school days, we will endeavor to have clear, defined separation between construction and ongoing operations through barricades and fencing.  Safety is paramount and will be a key factor in determining the construction sequencing. Implementation of the program will take place over a 20-year period and may include relocating schools to another facility in order to complete renovations.

If the voters approve the bonds the district will establish a website with updates on construction sequencing for each school. Additional communication will be made through existing channels such as email, SchoolMessenger, etc.

The average age of AAPS buildings is 63 years old.  Five AAPS schools are approaching their 100th birthday, constructed in the 1920’s: Angell, Ann Arbor Open, Bach, Burns Park and Community. A2 STEAM (Northside’s original building) and Slauson were added in the 1930’s, and the majority of the schools were built during the postwar years in Ann Arbor spanning the 1950’s through the 1970’s. Most recently, Skyline High School was built in 2008.

School/ Building Name	Year Built
Bach Elementary	1922
Community High School	1922
Angell Elementary	1923
Burns Park Elementary	1925
Ann Arbor Open	1923
Slauson Middle School	1937
Ann Arbor STEAM	1939
Pittsfield Elementary	1944
Pathways to Success	1949
Eberwhite Elementary	1950
Tappan Middle School	1950
Mitchell Elementary	1951
Freeman Elementary	1952
Carpenter Elementary	1953
Haisley Elementary	1954
Pioneer High School	1956
Dicken Elementary	1957
Pattengill Elementary	1957
Wines Elementary	1960
Forsythe Middle School	1960
Allen Elementary	1961
Lakewood Elementary	1961
Abbot Elementary	1962
Lawton Elementary	1963
Thurston Elementary	1963
Scarlett Middle School	1968
King Elementary	1969
Huron High School	1969
Balas Admin Building	1971
Clague Middle School	1972
Bryant Elementary	1973
Logan Elementary	1977
Transportation	1982
Preschool & Family Ctr	1990
Skyline High School	2008
Average Year Built	1956
Average Age	63

No, that is against state law. Bond dollars cannot be used for operation expenses such as employee salaries, repairs, maintenance, or energy costs. Bond program funds must be accounted for separately from general operating funds.  Bond funds are also subject to audit.

Bond proceeds cannot be used for the following items: Salaries and wages General operating expenses and maintenance Classroom supplies and textbooks

Bond proceeds can be used for the following items: Construction and remodeling of facilities Purchase of technology equipment Equipment and furniture Site improvements Bus purchases

A Sinking Fund is a millage levied in Michigan dedicated to support the repair and construction of school buildings.  The Sinking Fund is a pay-as-you-go method for building repairs and projects. The district does not pay interest on the money used. All of the work that is paid by sinking funds must be competitively bid and contracted.  None of the sinking funds can be paid to employees.  Here are some examples of what the sinking fund can pay for:

• Boilers to heat buildings
• Paving of parking lot
• Roofing
• Building system replacements such as HVAC and plumbing
• Accessibility needs as per the Americans with Disabilities Act

Sinking funds cannot be used to pay for instructional programs or salaries.

Work accomplished with AAPS Sinking Funds from 2017 through summer 2019 includes:

	Roofing	$ 4,642,000
	Paving	$ 5,443,000
	Additions	$10,905,000
	Renovations	$ 5,173,000
	Playgrounds	$ 2,746,000
	Athletics	$ 4,638,000
	Water Quality	$ 1,200,000
	Other Repairs	$ 22,404,000
	TOTAL	$ 57,151,000

School bond proceeds can fund major capital investment in our schools, which we would utilize to support program and curriculum, to prepare for increased enrollment and to provide equity among buildings.

Work accomplished with 2015 Bond Funds through summer 2019 includes:

	Replacement of Bus Fleet	$10,400,000
	New Classroom Furniture	$10,900,000
	Security and Safety Systems	$2,900,000
	Musical Instrument Replacement	$3,000,000
	Performing Arts Facility Needs	$450,000
	Athletic Fields & Facility Needs	$1,000,00
	Playgrounds	$478,000
	Equipment	$1,250,000
	TOTAL	$30,378,000

Please use our contact form to reach out with any questions or comments you have regarding the 2019 Bond.