Caledonia board ratifies 2026 refunding bonds, approves buses, internet contract and schools-of-choice resolutions

At its March 16 meeting, the Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education approved a slate of financial and enrollment items, including ratifying the sale of 2026 refunding bonds, purchasing school buses, authorizing an internet service contract, and adopting multiple schools-of-choice resolutions.

Bond refunding: A board member moved to ratify the sale of the 2026 refunding bonds; the superintendent told the board the refunding is near completion and estimated savings at about 7%, "just shy of 1000000 dollars that this will save in the life of these bonds." The board approved the resolution on a roll call vote.

Transportation and technology purchases: The board approved purchase of two 77-passenger buses and one 53-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus from Hoekstra Transportation at a combined cost of $472,296. The board also approved a 36-month contract with Spectrum Enterprise for internet service at $1,440 per month (a $51,840 total contract cost).

Schools of choice: The board considered three related resolutions addressing enrollment pathways for 2026–27. The board voted to not accept applications under state section 105 for 2026–27, to participate in the Kent ISD collaborative schools-of-choice program for 2026–27, and to not accept applications under section 105c for 2026–27. The superintendent explained the district will continue to use the county (Kent ISD) collaborative approach rather than the state’s 105c framework.

Votes: Each item was decided by roll call at the meeting; motions were moved, seconded and passed as recorded. The items were on the published agenda and were presented with brief staff summaries and opportunity for questions before votes.

What’s next: The superintendent noted final administrative steps remain to complete the refunding process following the board’s ratification.