May 6, 2025 Bond Proposal
On Tuesday, May 6, our community will vote on a school bond proposal for facility improvements throughout the district.
With these proposed upgrades, we have two goals:
- Taking care of what we have
- Building for our Future
Improve safety, security & aging infrastructure
- Replace door hardware and improve door access controls and alert system
- Replace aging parking lots and sidewalks
- Construct a new transportation building
- Replace buses to keep the fleet modern & safe
Update classrooms, athletics & fine arts
- Add elementary classrooms for more individualized instruction by reducing the number of students per classroom
- Provide spaces at Eureka, Oakview, Riley with flexible furniture and equipment that encourage collaborative, hands-on learning for upper elementary students
- Update skilled trades spaces and equipment for Career and Technical Education
- Update Middle School lab spaces and add air conditioning to aux gyms
- Improve athletics facilities to increase usability and reduce seasonal constraints: replace soccer field with multi-use turf field, replace tennis courts, add outdoor restrooms and wrestling room
- Enhance fine arts: replace stage floor, add theatrical lighting, fly system, and new instruments
Commit to and renovate Eureka and Riley
- Renovate and refresh the aging buildings to modernize learning environments
- Renovate Riley’s media center and courtyards to activate as functional learning spaces without flooding issues
- Create adequate student support spaces
Provide an Early Learning Center for our families and our community
- This frees up space in existing elementaries that currently house early learning programming in order to reduce crowding
- Prepare students for kindergarten and future academic success
- Meet current and future demand for pre-school and Little Wings
- Consolidate staffing in one location for efficient operations, staff collaboration, and resources
- Remain competitive with neighboring districts with early learning offerings
If approved by voters, this bond would provide $99,750,000 for improvements across the district with a projected zero-mill increase over the current millage rate.
What does "zero-mill increase" mean?
The tax rate to repay the bonds is not projected to increase beyond the current debt millage rate of 7.00 mills.
In effect, the proposal would extend the millage rate before decreasing as the bonds are repaid.
How would updated classrooms support learning?
Additional opportunities to learn about the bond
Additional opportunities to Learn about the Bond:
BONDing Over Coffee with the Superintendent
When: Thursday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: St. Johns Big Boy, 1408 S US 27, St. Johns, MI 48879
Join Superintendent Dr. Berthiaume for an open conversation over coffee. Share your thoughts, hear district updates, and get answers to your questions in an informal setting.
Eureka Bond Informational Meeting with Mr. Davis & Dr. Berthiaume
When: Monday, April 21 at 4:45 p.m.
Where: Eureka Elementary, 7550 N. Welling Rd. St. Johns, MI 48879
This is a great chance to learn more about the bond initiative and how it impacts our schools. Bring your questions and Mr. Davis and Dr. Berthiaume will be available to provide answers and insights.
