May 2, 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

On August 8, 2023 our community will vote on a bond proposal for the future of Clawson Public Schools. Our plan was submitted to the Michigan Department of Treasury on April 9, 2023, and on Monday the school board voted unanimously to approve the ballot language and place it on the ballot. 

I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the volunteer steering committee that was commissioned by our Board of Education to put this proposal together. This group, comprised of a cross-section of the community including parents, teachers, administrators, staff, city leaders, and school board members, met to review unfinished scope items from the 2021 Bond and to consider new potential projects that the district can invest in. The committee also recommended to the Board of Education the bond proposal amount of $25.5 million. 

There are specific challenges and opportunities that have led the Clawson Public School Board of Education to ask voters to consider a bond issue. Unprecedented inflation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and other market conditions led to cost increases that were beyond typical economic projections. These cost escalations resulted in a budget shortfall which requires the 2021 Bond to be completed with a strategically reduced scope. This reduced scope eliminates some planned renovations including such items as new flooring, façade repairs, a middle school gym refresh and new paint at the high school. However, with these challenges came the opportunity to ask voters to consider a bond in 2023 with no change to the tax rate which will enable the district to complete the renovations along with additional district-wide improvements. If approved, this bond proposal will generate $25.5 Million for facilities investments. 

If you haven’t reviewed the proposal yet, please reference the attached bond fact sheet and visit our school website at https://www.clawsonschools.org/district/2023-bond-proposal/ for more information. Every vote counts in this important election, please be sure you are registered to vote and if you would like to vote absentee, you can request a ballot at: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/avapplication. 

We will continue to share information about this important and exciting bond proposal that will help us to provide an outstanding well-rounded education for all students! In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any questions. 

Have a great day!

Billy Shellenbarger

Superintendent