Dearborn voters approved the Dearborn Public Schools’ $76 million S.M.A.R.T. School bond by a wide margin, 11,525 to 5,239. That means homeowners will continue to pay 5.35 mills. The bond will be used to fund security, modifications, additions to buildings, renovations, technology and transportation in Dearborn Schools.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. cruised to an easy win.

The Dearborn City Council will have two new faces, including a new council president.

Susan Dabaja was the top vote getter, beating Tommy Tafelski, the current council president, by a slim margin. Dabaja spent a lot on her campaign and put a lot of effort in going door-to-door and her hard work paid off.

The other new face on the council will be Mike Sareini, the son of former councilwoman Suzanne Sareini, who did not run for office.

The vote totals for the City Council look like this:

Susan A. Dabaja . . . . . . . . 9,398

Thomas Patrick Tafelski. . . . . . 9,366

Mike T. Sareini . . . . . . . . 8,723

Brian C. O’Donnell . . . . . . . 7,929

David W. Bazzy. . . . . . . . . 7,809

Robert Alex Abraham . . . . . . . 7,477

Mark C. Shooshanian . . . . . . . 7,407

Here are the rest of the results for the others who were unsuccessful in this year’s council race:

Patrick A Melton . . . . . . . . 7,021

Tarek M. Baydoun . . . . . . . . 6,280

Sharon Dulmage. . . . . . . . . 5,601

Kristyn Taylor. . . . . . . . . 5,315

Jane Ahern . . . . . . . . . . 5,225

Colette Richards . . . . . . . . 4,231

Stephen S. Dobkowski, Jr. . . . . . 3,551

There will be several important ballot questions voters will have to decide on today when they head out to vote.

One of the most important is the Dearborn Public Schools’ $76 million S.M.A.R.T. School Bond, which will NOT increase the millage rate taxpayers currently pay. Homeowners are currently paying 5.35 mills, and that is what will continue if the bond is passed again.

The bond will be used to fund security, modifications, additions to buildings, renovations, technology and transportation in Dearborn Schools.

Voter approval of the bond is sorely needed to fill gaps created by state funding cuts, and decreasing property values even as costs for the district have continued to climb.

Over the past five years, the district has experienced an 8.1% reduction in funding from the state and an increase in the demands placed on its buildings. The S.M.A.R.T. School Bond will provide the funding to address security, aging inventory of buildings, computers, and an aging bus fleet.

In addition, safety and security will be integrated into the very fabric of every school with upgraded surveillance cameras, auto-lock doors, and a buzzer access system.

The average age of Dearborn Public School’s facilities is 58 years, with 21 of those facilities over 50 years old. Modifications to facilities are necessary in such areas as roofs, site, windows, furniture and equipment, lockers and flooring. Dearborn school officials say that every facility will receive modifications to ensure “the safety, accessibility, health and suitability of all learning environments for students and maximize the useful life of buildings.”

Additions are necessary at several schools to accommodate student enrollment growth of 2,060 students since 2000 and to allow curriculum flexibility.

If Dearborn students are going to compete in a global environment, it is critical for them to have the up-to-date technology tools to facilitate learning. In addition, on-line testing requirements by the State, impact the school district’s goals and needs for technology in the future.

So please remember to look for the Dearborn Public Schools S.M.A.R.T School Bond on the ballot today and vote YES!