Chamber endorses LPS bond proposal

Plan’s tech, CTE enhancements good for community, employers
 
Business and community leaders that govern the Livonia Chamber of Commerce endorse the Livonia Public Schools bond proposal designed to enhance educational technology, facilities and programming.

LPS voters will decide the fate of the $186 million bond proposal in an election set for May 4. The debt would be repaid by extending the term for the current 4.1 mill tax rate district property owners pay for improvements to school facilities and infrastructure.

“Livonia has been a home buying hot bed for five years and this proposal would help maintain that momentum by upgrading our schools,” said Chamber President Dan West. “This proposal helps LPS proactively maintain an education system that benefits students, families, home owners, and business owners without any increase to the current tax rate.”

The proposal would fund new furniture, building and technology enhancements, renovations to athletic facilities, and other infrastructure upgrades. Also, the district is looking to expand capabilities for the district’s robotics program, career technology education (CTE), and science technology engineering and mathematics programming (STEM) – all of which are skills are critically important to local employers.

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce has been actively involved with educators, business leaders and policy makers about workforce development for years. Industry leaders are working with school district officials on how to best deploy the funds to better prepare young talent for skilled and technical trades and health careers, which are among the most in-demand jobs in Michigan.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to support the measure Feb. 26.

“Our Board felt this proposal accomplishes many good things for our community and deserves Chamber support,” West added.

With about 14,000 students, LPS is the state’s ninth-largest school district. LPS recently completed a $195 million program to enhance buildings and upgrade security at all district buildings in a bond proposal approved by voters in 2013. School officials said the 2013 projects made a big difference but it did not meet all infrastructure and technology needs for LPS buildings, most of which were built in the 1960s or earlier.