July 18, 2025 Bond Update

We’re thrilled to announce a series of major upgrades to our auditorium that are transforming the way we present, perform, and learn. These updates not only improve our equipment but also gave our students the chance to take the lead in meaningful, hands-on ways.

🎤 AV System Replacement – Modern, Flexible, and Stage-Ready
The outdated, non-functional AV system has been fully replaced! Presenters can now connect and share content from multiple locations—including directly from the stage. A brighter projector and a high-quality screen were also installed, replacing equipment that served us for nearly 20 years. The result? A dramatically better experience for speakers and audiences alike.

🎙️ Wireless Microphone Upgrade – Clearer Sound, Fewer Headaches
Our aging wireless mics—often plagued by interference from nearby frequencies—are gone. In their place: a new, state-of-the-art microphone system. These reliable, professional-grade mics will improve performance quality while eliminating the need for costly rentals (which once reached up to $10,000 per production!).
Special thanks to Ryan Haun (Class of 2025) for assisting with installation and configuration—gaining valuable audio tech experience along the way.

💡 LED Lighting Overhaul – Brighter, Safer, and Energy Efficient
Our stage lighting has entered the 21st century! We’ve replaced old, high-wattage theatrical fixtures with cutting-edge LED lights. These new lights are cooler, brighter, and far more efficient—using up to 80% less energy and removing the need for constant bulb replacements.

But what really makes this upgrade shine? Our students.

From removing old fixtures to installing 52 new LEDs, programming light cues, and designing a brand-new light plot, students led the charge. They learned real-world skills in lighting design, power distribution, and theatrical tech—skills that will serve them long after the curtain closes.

Huge applause to the student tech team:

• Nick Pollich (Class of 2025),
• Eli Thompson,
• June Warmington,
• Jeremy Roach,
• Alex White, and
• Eli Goldsmith—

✨ These upgrades aren’t just about new gear—they’re about creating better experiences and empowering student learning through action. The future is bright (literally), and we can’t wait for you to see it in action at our next event!

Formal Ribbon Cutting announcement coming soon!

#AuditoriumUpgrades #StudentPowered #HandsOnLearning #TheFutureIsNow #TechThatInspires

• Bus Purchase - Bond
• The District strives to adhere to replacing at least 2-3 buses per year to keep the fleet in satisfactory condition as buses age. Doing so helps minimize repairs and associated expenses, and maximizes a positive outcome of the Michigan State Police school bus inspection annually. With the passage of the 2024 Bond, which provides for purchasing buses, the District can continue with this purchasing schedule. We are recommending approval of the purchase of four (4) buses this year from Hoekstra Transportation through the MSBO Bus Purchasing Program, which satisfies the competitive bid process. The buses are 2025 Thomas 89-passenger EFX2 Transit Front and will include cameras at cost of $174,351 each. The total purchase for approval is $697,404

• Band Shell Purchase - Bond
• When our school acquired the current band shell from Chenery Auditorium in 2007, it was a significant enhancement to our auditorium and performing arts programs. It has greatly improved the quality of rehearsals and performances by projecting sound effectively toward the audience. Over the years, it has become one of the most requested and utilized pieces of equipment in our facility. However, the shell was originally manufactured in 1992 and is now over 30 years old, well beyond the typical 20-year service life for this type of equipment. Due to its age, increasing safety concerns, and the unavailability of replacement parts, this will be the final year we can use it before it must be retired. This project was identified as a need and is part of the 2024 Bond. To ensure continuity and advancement in our performing arts offerings, we are seeking to purchase a new band shell from Wenger Corporation, a nationally recognized leader in performance equipment. This updated model represents a substantial upgrade, offering enhanced acoustics, greater flexibility, and the ability to accommodate larger groups and diverse event types. We believe this investment will have a lasting impact on the quality and versatility of our performing arts programming. We recommend purchasing the band shell, motors and hoists from Wenger Corporation at a cost of $284,389.92. This includes one (1) Maestro Full-Stage Acoustical Shell (7 towers, 3 clouds) and three (3) Wenger Power Assist Hoists. Wenger participates with Omnia partners, a cooperative purchasing program to which we belong, and satisfies our competitive bid requirements.

Summer Construction Update: Track & Field Project Progress

Work continues to move forward on our athletic facility upgrades, with several key milestones already reached and exciting developments on the horizon.

This past week saw the delivery of AstroTurf and padding—setting the stage for the next phase of work. Concrete pouring progressed steadily throughout the field event areas, while fence posts were set to define the space. Crews also focused on the south end of the track, where grading and graveling were completed, and installation began on the long jump and pole vault boxes.

Looking ahead to next week, installation of the AstroTurf is expected to begin, while concrete work will continue around the field events and near the concessions area. Fence post installation and sidewalk formation around the field areas will also proceed, alongside ongoing work on the long jump and pole vault boxes.

Key Dates to Watch (subject to change):

• Turf Installation: July 8–22, 2025

• Bleacher Installation: Week of July 21 or July 28, 2025

• Paving: Scheduled for July 30, 2025

• Scoreboard: Arrives on-site August 11; installation date to be determined

We’re excited to see the transformation taking shape and will continue to keep you updated as the project moves forward!

Part of BP1 includes an allocation for a new score board. Above is a concept design roughly 20' x 28' - a substantial upgrade from our current board, which will be repurposed to the new multi-purpose field south of the stadium. The scoreboard will be moved to the North endzone, to make way for upcoming renovations to the southern entrance in a later bid package.

Facilities Update: BP1D & BP1E Progress Report

Work continues behind the scenes as part of our ongoing facilities improvement efforts, with steady progress on Building Packages 1D and 1E.

BP1D crews were active on-site this week, installing new duct detectors across all mezzanine air handling units and continuing wire pulling and conduit installation in the mezzanine. Technicians are also addressing issues with the new fire alarm panel, and two new amplifier panels were installed to support the upgraded door hold and duct detector systems.

BP1E had no on-site activity this week, though preparations for next steps are underway.

Looking Ahead to Next Week:

For BP1D, the team will complete the installation of duct detectors, continue troubleshooting the fire alarm system, and begin landing SLC 2 into the new panels. TFP is scheduled to return to begin system programming.

BP1E is expected to ramp up again, with carpet shipments arriving Tuesday, July 15. On-site work is anticipated to begin Thursday or Friday. Please ensure a HI-Lo is available for unloading. Johnson is scheduled to return to the site on July 21, with work beginning in the Athletic Offices and DeGroff classroom before moving to the second floor.

Budget & Timeline Overview:

• BP1D Current Budget (through Change Order #00): $979,232

• BP1E Current Budget (through Change Order #00): $282,251
  Note: These figures do not include pending approved changes or items awaiting final pricing.

• Current Substantial Completion for both BP1D & BP1E: August 2025

We appreciate everyone’s coordination and patience as these critical upgrades continue toward completion. More updates to come!

In May and June the design team will be meeting with key staff to gather input on a variety of upcoming projects, including:

• renovations of old middle and high school science rooms
• renovation/expansion of existing high school weight room
• renovation of existing high school girls and boys locker rooms

Considerable planning has been accomplished in the redesign of the traffic flow in and around the middle and high school buildings. Based on observation and feedback, we feel we have the best plan possible to address safety and flow concerns. A few notables:

• Fully separate buses from carpool and staff traffic at both the middle and high schools
• Reconfigure the carpool traffic routes at both the middle and high schools
• Add needed parking in front of middle and high schools
• Add a 'thru' drive east to west for bus traffic to move within our district
• Open Holler Lane to all traffic coming in or out of the campus allowing for efficient flow

Above: concept design of bus loading lanes on the south side of the middle and high schools.

Below: concept design of parking and carpool lanes on the north side of middle and high schools.

It is important to note that the stadium will be renovated in multiple phases. Phase two, scheduled to begin in the Summer of 2026 and will include renovations to the current press box and the addition of a new sound system.

Phase three will include the construction of a new entryway and concession on the south end of the current stadium, as well as cosmetic improvements to the current entryway on the North side of the stadium.

Exciting progress is underway as we move forward with the design of a new Transportation and Maintenance Building, which is set to begin construction this fall! Located just west of the current high school, this much-needed facility will replace outdated and undersized buildings that no longer meet modern safety standards.

Designed for efficiency, this 24,000-square-foot building will combine both departments, maximizing resources and making the best use of taxpayer dollars. It will include administrative offices, locker and shower facilities, and dedicated garage space for both transportation and maintenance teams. With four drive-through bays, our talented team of mechanics can now service buses more safely and efficiently, eliminating the need for backing in or out.

This new facility will also provide additional dry storage with a dock, streamlining district-wide deliveries and distribution. This investment ensures our district operates more effectively while supporting the vital work of our transportation and maintenance staff.

The work captured in this bond is broken down into bid packages. For example, the work described above is in Bid Package 1A - the very first bid package. Upcoming bid packages are outlined below with tentative timelines.

Please note: The bid packages listed below are currently in various stages of design. Additional bid packages, including those for field turf, the middle school cafeteria, technology, the natatorium, and others, have not yet entered the design phase but will be developed and updated in the future.

Bid Package 1A - Stadium Inner Scope

• Replace field with turf
• Replace track & field
• Replace inner perimeter fencing
• Fall 2024 - project design
• Winter 2024 - project bidding
• Spring 2025 - project construction

Bid Package 1B - Campus Traffic Flow & Parking

• High School and Middle School parent carpool loop reworked
  
• Separation of buses from carpool/community traffic
• Expanded parking in front of the middle and high school
• Stadium press box renovations
• Spring 2026 - project bidding
• Summer of 2026 - project construction

Bid Package 1C - Baseball & Softball Field Upgrades

• Update irrigation system
• Updated perimeter fencing
• Spring 2025 - project bidding
• Summer 2025 - construction

Bid Package 1D - Middle/High School Fire Alarm System Replacement

• Winter 2025 - project bidding
• Summer 2025 - construction

Bid Package 2A - New Construction Transportation & Maintenance Facility

• Winter 2025 - Design Development
• Summer 2025 - project bidding
• Fall 2025 - Fall of 2026 - construction

Our focus revolves around five key objectives for the bond:

1. Preserve existing assets
2. Prioritize safety and security
3. Provide future-focused academic and extracurricular experiences for our students
4. Enhance infrastructure
5. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility

Safety & Security:

• Addressing traffic congestion, lack of parking spaces, and separation of traffic and busing through enhancements
• Replacement of outdated, unreliable security equipment at each building

Transportation:

• Continued replacement of an aging bus fleet

Academic Learning Spaces + Experience:

• Replacement of original, aged classroom equipment and furniture at middle and high schools
• Updates to original, outdated science areas at middle and high schools (excluding the newly renovated portions) to ensure students have state of the art experiences.

Fine Arts:

• Upgrades to lighting and media equipment at the high school auditorium

Infrastructure:

• Replacement of original, outdated lockers, bathrooms, various ceilings, and lighting at middle and high schools
• Renovations to high school weight room including expansion to address overcrowding and scheduling issues for student-athletes and physical education courses
• Upgrade of aged building controls at middle and high schools (water, fire, HVAC, etc.) to provide the most efficient and safe environmental controls
• Addition of cooling to main gymnasiums at the high school

Student Athletic Experience:

• Renovation of aged high school locker rooms
• Renovation of the high school stadium, including artificial turf, new entryways, expanded concessions
• New high school track - the current track is backwards and nearly unusable in the current condition
• Upgrades to baseball and softball fields
• Construction of a new multi-use turf field (soccer, lacrosse, football)
• Maintenance of existing practice fields; addition of a new outdoor practice space

Other Construction:

• Addressing overcrowding in the current Middle School cafeteria
• Replacement of aged, quickly deteriorating tennis courts
  
• Replacement of aged transportation building and maintenance building
• Construction of a fieldhouse facility for indoor practice teams/band to address lack of 12-month practice space; available for community use
• Construction of a student/community pool

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