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Grand Ledge board approves bond prequalification to explore zero-net-mill facilities plan
Summary
Trustees authorized filing a preliminary bonds qualification application to the Michigan Department of Treasury to begin community conversations about a zero-net-mill November bond that would fund classrooms, cafeterias, gym and science lab renovations, and safety and infrastructure upgrades.
The Grand Ledge Public Schools Board of Education voted June 22 to approve an Application for Preliminary Qualification of Bonds with the Michigan Department of Treasury, a step administrators said would allow the district to explore placing a zero-net-mill bond proposal on the November ballot.
Superintendent Bill Barnes described the prequalification step as part of capital planning and transparency. He said the district has worked with financial advisor Baker Tilly, architectural partner TMP and construction manager Clark Construction to estimate costs and draft project lists. Under a zero-net-mill scenario administrators said the district could fund: two classrooms at Delta Mills; infrastructure upgrades at Neff; a cafeteria at Wacousta; two classrooms and a gym at Willow Ridge; three classrooms at Holbrook; four classrooms at Beagle; four classrooms, restroom renovations and a cafeteria at Hayes; a new competition gym and renovation of the existing competition gym at the high school; science lab refurbishments; tennis court renovations; and additional infrastructure, safety and security upgrades.
Boardmember Nicole Shannon acknowledged the challenge of proposing a bond at a difficult economic moment but said the district’s recent budget performance showed fiscal responsibility. Bond and Capital Projects Supervisor John Piper provided construction and scheduling updates and confirmed some site work is concluding on recent projects.
The board approved the prequalification application unanimously, and trustees discussed scheduling a bond tour and drafting ballot language as next steps. Superintendent Barnes reiterated that prequalification does not itself put a bond on the ballot; it enables planning and community communication ahead of any formal ballot proposal.
Vote (roll call): Prequalification of Bonds Application — approved unanimously (Holmes, Stevens, Kuykendoll, Shannon, Oppenheim — Yes).
