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OCS Connections, Oxford, MI (2026)

08/22/2026

📚 This came across our desk. Passing it along.

🍎 Your district can pass a bond for a new gym and not one dime of it can legally pay a teacher. That’s not a loophole. That’s Michigan law. Bonds, sinking funds, operating millages, Proposal A — they sound like the same pot of money. They’re not. And that confusion has cost Oxford twice now.

📌 Nov 2025: Operating millage replacement failed, 52% to 48%. Sinking fund failed with it.
📌 Aug 2026: The renewal failed again — by 23 votes, per a Bridge Michigan analysis of Oakland and Lapeer results.

2️⃣3️⃣ Twenty-three.

It’s a millage on commercial property and second homes. No tax increase on primary residences. The state’s formula assumes districts collect it — so when it doesn’t come in, nobody backfills it.

At the June 30 board meeting, Superintendent Milligan laid out the math: roughly $7 million a year gone, per-pupil dropping from $10,050 to about $9,166 in 2027-28. Her planning scenarios included $2.1 million out of transportation and the potential closure of Leonard Elementary — and she was clear those are scenarios, not decisions. But they’re her numbers, presented in open session.

🗓️ Wednesday, September 2 @ 6:30 PM
💻 Free. Online. Plain English.

Presented by the Michigan Education Justice Coalition.

🔗 Zoom Link in comments.

🚌 Twenty-three votes is a rounding error. It’s also the difference between a bus route and no bus route. Learn how the money works, then go argue from an informed position.

📎 Oxford Leader 7/8/26 · Bridge Michigan 8/5/26 · oxfordschools.org/millage

04/09/2026

Oxford Board of Education Meeting Recap — April 7, 2026

It was a full and productive evening at the Oxford BOE meeting, with several highlights worth sharing with our community:

✨ Celebrating Our Students

The meeting began with student recognitions showcasing achievements in the arts, athletics, and academics across all buildings and programs. It was especially meaningful to see Crossroads students included in the celebration—an important reminder of the diverse successes across our district.

🏫 District Updates from the Superintendent

Several exciting updates were shared:
• The new ASD Center will be called Keystone Learning Center. Prior to demolition, the Oxford Fire Department utilized buildings on-site for training exercises. Three of the four structures have now been removed.
• Renovations to the OHS weight room are underway, made possible by a generous donor.
• OMS environmental mitigation is in progress, with flooring already replaced in Rooms 110 and 111. A big thank you to our facilities team for completing this work over spring break, with more improvements planned this summer.
• The Superintendent will be hosting “Coffee & Connect” sessions for the community. The first is scheduled for April 13 at 8:30 AM at Evergreen’s — all are welcome to attend and engage.
• OMS was awarded a $9,000 STEM grant, which has been used to purchase a Fischertechnik controller to enhance student learning.

🎓 Oxford High School Spotlight

OHS Principal Brad Bigelow delivered an engaging presentation highlighting:
• Survey insights and local/state assessment data
• Diverse learning pathway opportunities for students
• Attendance goals and progress
• Points of pride, including a powerful student perspective shared by senior Alex de la Fuente

🛠️ Keystone Learning Center Approvals

The Board approved two items related to construction and technology for the Keystone Learning Center project. These investments are reimbursable through Oakland Schools ISD, with reimbursements submitted and received on a regular basis.

Trustee Sara Beth voted no on both items, citing concerns about district funds being tied up in the project. It has been explained in multiple meetings that these costs are routinely reimbursed — often within a short turnaround timeframe. Her continued opposition reflects a lack of support for this program and raises concerns about alignment with initiatives designed to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for Oxford students.

🗣️ Public Comment

One public comment was shared regarding the Board’s upcoming workshop. The concern raised about not using district funds for board professional development is both short-sighted and misguided. Ongoing training and facilitated workshops are standard practice for effective boards, helping members better understand their roles, strengthen collaboration, and ultimately make more informed decisions for the benefit of students and the district. Investing in strong governance is not wasteful — it is responsible and necessary.

📅 Next Meeting

The next BOE meeting will be held on April 21 at 6:30 PM at Lakeville.

03/27/2026

Let’s get into it — because there’s a lot of good happening in our district.👇

👏 Starting on a High Note

The night kicked off by honoring our Teacher and Support Staff of the Year—and it was well deserved. These are the people showing up for our kids every single day and going above and beyond. We’re lucky to have them. Dr. Milligan continued recognizing staff during her report, and it set a positive tone for the entire meeting.

🌟 A Program Worth Talking About

Crossroads Day School took center stage — and honestly, more people should know about it.

Principal Todd Barlass shared powerful data and real stories showing how students are making meaningful progress. We’re talking about students on track to earn their GEDs within months — and one already accepted to MSU. That’s life-changing.

This program has been around since the 1950s… yet many in the community have never heard of it. That should change. As Mike A. said — this is something our district should be proud of.

📊 Strategic Plan Check-In

Good news: student surveys show that feelings of belonging and safety are holding steady compared to last year. The district will continue adjusting the plan as new feedback comes in.

🔒 Safety Update

Door checks remain a focus. Fortis will now track this in writing, and staff are expected to check doors when they see an issue and have the opportunity to address it. For our community, this isn’t a procedural checkbox. It matters.

🤝 Building Community Connections

There’s ongoing effort to strengthen relationships between the Board, district leadership, and YOU — the community. Think: Coffee & Conversations, lunches, and more opportunities to stay connected and informed.

💡 One interesting takeaway shared:
another district successfully managing multiple rebuilds relies on a consistently renewed sinking fund to maintain their facilities. Food for thought as we look ahead.

✅ What Was Approved
✔️ 5th Grade Camp
✔️ New Technology Course
✔️ OVA Bid
✔️ Leonard Boiler Bid
✔️ Oakland Schools (ISD) Contract (approved by all except Sara Beth)

⸻

We’ll keep showing up, asking questions, and sharing what’s really happening — because our community deserves to be informed.

Stay tuned. There’s more to come!

03/21/2026

Let’s talk about “transparency.”

It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot lately — usually by people who are anything but. Sharing half-truths, leaving out inconvenient context, and posting unverified claims isn’t transparency. It’s manipulation with better branding.

Oxford has been through enough. This community doesn’t need more noise — it needs accurate information from people who actually give a damn about these kids and this district.

A note on anonymity — because someone will point it out…

Yes, OCS Connections operates anonymously. We want to be straight with you about why: Oxford is a small, tight-knit community. People who speak up about those in power sometimes face real social and professional consequences. Anonymity protects community members who want to participate in this conversation without fear of retaliation — not the page, the people who trust us with information.

Our anonymity is a shield for the community. It is not a license to be sloppy with facts.

The difference between us and those crying “transparency” while spreading misinformation? We can prove what we post.

So here’s where we stand:

✔️ We cite our sources — links, documents, verifiable facts

✔️ We correct ourselves when we’re wrong — because that’s what accountability actually looks like

✔️ We keep the focus where it belongs — on students, families, and the community paying attention

There’s plenty of room for hard conversations and legitimate disagreement. That’s healthy. That’s democracy. But it has to be grounded in what’s actually true — not what’s convenient for someone’s agenda.

If you want real information about Oxford Community Schools, you’re in the right place.

We’re not here to win an argument. We’re here to make sure this community has what it needs to make good decisions for Oxford kids.

💙💛

03/18/2026

We’ve been quiet for a bit. That ends now.

Oxford has been through a lot — and so have the families, staff, and students who show up every single day. What stands out most is their resilience. Their dedication. Their refusal to quit on these kids even when the adults in charge make it hard.

So let’s talk about where things actually stand.

There are real challenges — leaking roofs, aging equipment, potential mold issues, and facilities that are falling further behind the standards our students deserve. These aren’t easy problems. But they ARE solvable, and there’s a clear path forward.

A critical piece of that path is the non-homestead operating millage on the August 4th ballot. This is a renewal of existing funding — not new taxes — that supports approximately $7 million annually for Oxford Community Schools. It does not affect primary residences. It’s a standard funding mechanism used by every school district in Michigan. Businesses expect it. Communities depend on it.

Last week the board voted to place it on the ballot. That’s the right call.

One board member — Sara Beth Campagiorni — voted no. Twice. When asked why, she said she didn’t know. That she needed to do more research. That she needed to talk to more people.

Sara Beth. You’re ON the board. This is literally your job.

Kids are sitting under leaking roofs while a sitting board member can’t explain a no vote on a funding renewal that’s been in place since 2016. Google could have answered her questions in about 90 seconds.

As August 4th approaches, we’ll be here — keeping you informed, answering questions, and making sure this community has what it needs to make smart decisions for Oxford kids.

Our teachers and staff show up with incredible dedication every single day. Our students deserve learning environments that reflect that same commitment.

Stay informed. Talk to your neighbors. Ask questions.

Oxford is a strong community. Let’s keep building something better for our kids — even if some board members haven’t figured out how yet.

💙💛

11/03/2025

Oxford voters will soon decide two crucial millage renewals that determine how well our schools can serve students — the Operating Millage, which keeps our schools running day-to-day, and the Sinking Fund Millage, which keeps them safe, secure, and standing.

Here’s something worth thinking about:

Will our current school board publicly support these measures that directly impact Oxford’s students, staff, and community — or will they stay quiet?

It’s a fair question.
When leaders hesitate to stand up for public education, it makes you wonder where their priorities truly are.

Because these proposals aren’t about politics — they’re about roofs that don’t leak, buses that run safely, classrooms that are warm in winter, and teachers who can do their jobs without cutting corners.

Oxford deserves leaders who believe in investing in our schools — all of them.

Your schools. Your community. Your vote.

11/01/2025

Oxford voters — November 4 matters.
Two school millages on the ballot.
One community that cares.

✅ Learn more at oxfordschools.org

OCS Connections

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