Wow. Nothing here that you said discusses the upcoming proposal. I thought I was going to read something that discusses the issues on the ballot, but was mistaken. If they waited until November it would have impacted the kds for at least another year of transition....enough is enough. Lets mve forward already, rather than keeping up this nonsense. Let's remember the bottom line, our children's future and education. I couldn't disagree with you more, Ms. Greenwell. Right proposal, right ballot. They have my YES vote.

Jenny continues to ignore the inconvenient truth that leaving things status quo would cause $2.4 million in excess operating expenses by not combining the high schools into a single building and worse for education, it would cause the reduction of programming in the separate high schools (AP/IB classes, electives, extracurriculars) because there is no longer enough student population (i.e. funding) in each building to support the level of education that Bloomfield Hills has been historically accustomed to and that is necessary to attract new families to the District.

J. Wagner

The Michigan House of Representatives, and many other states, have legislation on the docket to outlaw May school ballots of any kind. I suspect the district feels they have a better chance of surprising taxpayers that they hope will not get to the polls in on May 8. Vote No so that we retain our two, pefectly good high schools. The two schools passed inspection recently. Nothing major is wrong with them. As we see with Cranbrook, age of buildings necessitates regular maintenance, but does not limit opportunities for great education. That takes talent and imagination, not developers. Birmingham came up with one plan, to renovate all K-12 buildings and their taxpayers approved it and it was done. Birmingham cut at the top - they reduced the number of administrators, and sold their administration building and moved the rest into Groves High. That is serious cutting and serious planning over a long period of time. Our Board will ask for tax dollars next to retro-fit a Wellness Center building, and hire contractor doctors and nurses, renovate all of the middle school and elementaries and who knows what is next. But, they mostly talk about construction. Our students have what they need now - 900 students in a building at most, not 1,650. Why would Bloomfield seek to emulate Lake Orion, Royal Oak and Howell, who couldn't afford to operate the large high school they built. Can we?

Wow...not sure where to begin, what with all the misinformation in Jenny's post and Cara's comment. Here is the truth. The BHSD will have ONE high school beginning in the fall of 2013. That is a done deal. The status quo is not an option. The ONLY thing we will be voting on at the May 8 ballot is whether to approve a bond for the hybrid facility. The fiscally responsible, forward-thinking plan will save the district an estimated $2.4 million annually. The plan will preserve curriculum, enhance opportunities and give our students and staff appropriate spaces to learn and teach for many decades to come. And by voting YES on May 8, the building process could begin immediately allowing for quicker completion, less transition time and greater savings. The choice is clear. 14 months of planning, gathering community input and number crunching has brought the best plan to us for a vote. It is a masterful compromise (hybrid=part renovation, part new construction) that came about after thoughtful LISTENING and yeoman efforts from our School Board, Administration, design team, community members, students and staff. Please vote YES on May 8. It is a positive, supportive vote for our students, our staff and our community.

You obviously don't have children in high school. These buildings are so run down - I wouldn't kennel dogs in them. 900 students in each building cannot sustain programs - they can't fill classes. Hundreds of students get bussed every day between the two facilities. Serious planning over a longer period of time?? They started this process eight years ago! How much longer do you suggest? Students are embarrassed and ashamed of their facilities. They recognize the schools are too small - many are excited about combining (I say many because I can't speak for all - just the ones I know personally). They are downright jealous when they go to Groves, Lake Orion and Northville to compete athletically. It suggests to them that the community they live in don't support or care about them. Lets finally do whats right and invest in our children, our property values and our community!

Did you honestly just suggest that my fifteen year old learn via skype???? Do we need to get into a logistics battle? Isn't easier to transport a busload of students to then fan out to the many classes offered instead of trying force them into schedules that don't work for them to accomodate teachers running back and forth between buildings? Lets do the math once again...Groves has more students. For the record - I completely support our board.

Jenny, you know as well as anyone that the Sinking Fund monies were and continue to be put to good use by the disctict. The lengthy list of completed and ongoing Sinking Fund projects is available to anyone who wishes to see it. And while I do believe teachers have cars, having them drive between the buildings still leaves half the kids at the other building! Are you suggesting that the kids carpool with the teachers? And in reference to the Skype comment, I for one believe in a superb teacher, physically in the classroom teaching our students. That is what has made us a top-performing district and what will keep us there. Now we need to raise up our facilities to allow those top teachers and inspired students to achieve at the highest level possible. The plan is right for our community and I encourage everyone to vote YES on May 8.

Voting yes voting no, name calling, false negative comments, talking about the past, we all know mistakes have been made by both sides but NOW times have changed! The fact is we have a good new superintendent in Rob Glass, The fact is our schools are in the worst shape in the area, The fact is Rob Glass has listened to many, The fact is he has come up with a fair and reasonable plan, The fact is everyone can get all the information they desire about the plan, The fact is, this is not stealth election but well informed May 8th date. Now we, as a community MUST step up to the plate and vote YES on MAY 8TH. It is,"THE RIGHT PLAN, THE RIGHT COST, THE RIGHT TIME" Join my family and I in voting YES on May 8th. George Derderian Jr.

The blogger and her associates have the freedom to say what they wish. Others have the right to move forward. The have posted sufficiently that people who wish to know where their agenda lies need merely click on their names and read the posts they've made to various blogs. Form your own impressions. I have great faith in the intelligence of our community.

Vote No on May 8 and get two schools, with less than 1,650 in them, which is best for the students. The two high schools, and our other schools have been neglected by the school board! The very people responsible for their care. Because the $80 million in sinking funds that was promised to be used for maintenance WAS NOT. Mismanagement. Our daughter had rainwater dripping on her head in Chemistry class at Lahser. In Bloomfield? Give me a break. AND, George Derderian has not been a member of B2020 for many years (I know because I have been) and was not a founding member. His wife works for the school district. To say otherwise, is misleading people.

B20/20 welcomes all who are interested in top-ranked academics and beautifully maintained schools. We run campaigns when we have to, but for the most part, B20/20 exists for the purpose of reminding our board to focus on education and prudent financial management. The fact that our schools need work is an indictment of our Trustees. Signs of deferred maintenance were noticed in 2002, and despite millions of new tax dollars, that maintenance has not been completed!
That's a shame, and it hurts our students performance and experience. My own kids used to joke about the "broken" faucets and other maintenance issues at Lahser...those jokes were never funny, and certainly aren't now!