Grand Haven Area Public Schools reviews master plan, explores possible November bond to fund phased renovations

Grand Haven Area Public Schools officials reviewed a multi-phase master plan on April 24 and agreed to continue exploring whether to place a bond on the Nov. ballot.

The board heard estimates and community-survey results showing voters prefer smaller renovation proposals rather than an all-at-once approach. Michael MacDonald presented Phase 1 costing and tax-impact modeling: Phase 1 was listed at $98,554, while fully renovating all elementary buildings was estimated at roughly $214,000,000. MacDonald said an average $300,000 home currently pays about $8.70 per month for district taxes, and Phase 1 would raise that by $24.36 to a total of $33.06 per month.

The master plan discussion focused on prioritizing renovations that received the most community support and matching bond sales to project phasing. Superintendent Kristin Perkowski said cabinet-level meetings with Muskegon Community College and other stakeholders had produced a list of possible partnerships and project priorities to share with voters.

Trustees discussed timing and market considerations; the board agreed there is a practical July deadline for a Nov. ballot placement and gave consensus to continue exploring that timeline. Trustees and staff also noted bond terms would be structured around a roughly 25-year amortization, with later phases potentially presented as renewal asks rather than new debt.

The board was also told that structural engineers inspected Lakeshore Middle School and determined it is safe today but may need longer-term work. That assessment helped frame the urgency of some proposed capital work but did not produce an immediate emergency action.

Next steps: administration will continue work on bond-language options, phasing and community information; the board indicated a July decision point for a potential November ballot placement.