Brick by Brick

Welcome to the latest edition of Brick by Brick! We’re excited to use this recurring newsletter to share meaningful updates on our community’s bond projects. Count on us to provide this update every 3 weeks during the design phase of the project.

From progress milestones and upcoming work, to important details about how these efforts are shaping the future of our district, this newsletter reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency as we keep the community informed and connected as this work moves forward.

Most of all, we are deeply grateful to our taxpayers for their investment in our schools. Your trust and support make this work possible, and we take seriously our responsibility to use these resources wisely for the benefit of our entire community.

On Friday, April 24th, we held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the track and parking lot projects that will start very soon! We appreciate the students, coaches, community/school leaders, architects, engineers, and construction manager representatives for joining us!

We're incredibly grateful to our community for supporting the bond proposal and helping make these improvements possible!

***PLEASE KNOW - The Jr/Sr High School site will be under construction during the summer. Please pay close attention to signage around the campus to ensure safe access to the property.***

TRACK - Expansion of our current 6-lane yardage track to an 8-lane metric track - the scope of this project includes the relocation of field events, regrading/reseeding the football field, installing an irrigation system, moving goal posts and play clocks, adding an accessible sidewalk around part of the track, adding accessible parking spaces closer to the athletic complex by the new entrance/ticketing area. This part of the project is funded with bond funds, with sinking fund dollars supplementing anything over the $1,150,190 bond construction budget.

ADDITIONAL STADIUM UPDATES - We also plan to demo our current stadium lighting poles, fixtures, and will install an irrigation system for the football field (Sinking Fund).

COSTS - The total cost of the projects planned for the Jr/Sr High School site is $2,422,145:

• $1,115,000 from bond funds
• $1,307,145 from our sinking fund

As noted in recent District Updates -

Due to this project, our football and boys soccer teams will not be able to host home games on our field this fall. We appreciate the community’s understanding as we complete this needed upgrade, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to an improved facility once the work is finished.

A HUGE thank you to our Athletic Director, Jean LaClair, for organizing and collaborating with Coldwater, Union City, and Sturgis. Their willingness to host our home varsity football games helps keep both games and fans closer to home!

Representatives from TowerPinkster (our archiects), Skillman (our construction managers), and BCS met on Monday, April 20th to review the schematic design budget. Based on information presented, additional discussions took place related to site plans (parking lots, playgrounds, etc.) and additional projects that could be funded with the Sinking Fund in the current Anderson building.

TowerPinkster representatives will be in attendance at the May 11th Board Meeting to provide an overview/update of work completed during the Schematic Design phase of the project and Design Development starts with our meeting on May 13th.

A question we're starting to hear is, "When can we see the drawings/plans?". We know there is a lot of excitement to see the new drawings and plans, and we are just as eager to share them with you.

Our team wrapped up Schematic Design (SD) and will move into Design Development (DD). We have been carefully weighing every design concept against our bond budget to ensure the project remains fiscally responsible. Our goal is to share plans that are not only inspiring but also achievable.

To ensure the community has the most accurate information, we hope to release the layouts soon. At that point, the plans will be more finalized and reflective of the actual build.

Thank you for your patience as we do the due diligence necessary to get this right for our community.

Based on input from the design team and staff, the following success factors and guiding principles have been developed to guide our work/decisions as they relate to this project:

• The building will be equipped with physical security measures, including controlled access, to maintain a safe environment for students and staff. External and internal supervision sightlines will drive the strategic placement of program spaces and influence the building layout. Building compartmentalization is important for maintaining secure areas of the building through a variety of uses throughout the day and evening.

• Blending of the new addition and existing facility is necessary to create a cohesive look and feel for the building. A consistent elementary education experience is desired for all. The unity created by the joining of Ryan Elementary students and Anderson Elementary students is a great opportunity for the future of Bronson Community Schools.

• The facility will focus on the needs of the students. The building will be welcoming and inviting and the environment will provide comfort and a nurturing, home-like setting that is familiar to students. Breaking down barriers to education will be at the center of all design decisions.

• The design needs to provide adequate storage space for necessary items as a way to eliminate clutter. The building program is structured in a way that educational spaces are intentionally provided, wayfinding is clear for student navigation, and easy orientation for visitors.

• This project is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Bronson Community. As such, it needs to honor and respect the significant contributions of the community in supporting the bond proposal. The level of investment requires the design solution to be flexible and agile enough to adjust to future educational needs. The final result needs to be transformational without being "over the top" or excessive. The facility will be a community asset that will reflect the great pride of being a Bronson Viking!

Please know this is still a work in progress and more information/pictures will be shared as it becomes available and as we move along through the process!

In addition to the meetings listed above, related to the track project:

May 5, 2026

• Technology Design Meeting

May 7, 2026

• Superintendent Wall's WTVB Radio Update

May 11, 2026

• TowerPinkster presentation at Board of Education Meeting

May 13, 2026

• Elementary Office Design Meeting
• Design Team Meeting - Design Development Meeting #1