2025 Bond Proposal

• Security Enhancements
• Building Expansions
  1. New Classroom Wing
  2. Kitchen/Dining Expansion
  3. Main Office Expansion
  4. Media Center Expansion
  5. New Multi-Purpose Room
• HVAC Enhancements
• Accessible Playground Surfacing and ADA Equipment
• Parking Expansions
• Bus Pickup/Dropoff Expansion

• Security Enhancements
• Boiler/HVAC/Temp Controls Systems Upgrades
• Replace Shingled Roofing
• Accessible Playground Surfacing and ADA Equipment
• Replace Select Areas of Bus Loop and Entry Parking
• Renovate Second-Floor Boys’ Bathroom

• Security Enhancements
• HVAC/Controls Systems Upgrades
• Lighting Controls Replacement
• Replace Shingled Roof
• Replace Selected Parking Areas
• Playground Surfacing and ADA Equipment

• Security Enhancements
• HVAC/Temp Controls Systems Upgrades
• Lighting Controls Replacement
• ADA Playground Equipment
• Bus Loop and Parking Replacement
• New Soccer Bleachers, Concessions Service Counter and HVAC Equipment

• Security Enhancements
• Cafeteria Renovation and Expansion
• Service Entry and Dock Expansion
• Food Lab Renovation
• Industrial Arts/Skilled Trades Addition
• Industrial Arts Remodeled to Red Zone, Music and Concessions
• Exterior and Interior door replacements
• Galvanized Piping Replacement
• Boilers, HVAC and Control Systems Replacement
• Lighting Controls Update
• Roofing Replacement
• Entry and Dining Outdoor Areas Remodeled

• Replace HVAC Cooling Systems
• Replace Dimmer Racks, Theatrical and House Lighting Systems
• Replace Life Safety Generator
• Parking Expansion
• Extend Snowmelt and Add Sidewalks
• Storage Area Expansion
• Add Maintenance Building

• Innovative space for robotics team and growing K-12 robotics opportunities
• Multi-purpose space for hands-on learning opportunities
• Storage
• Parking lot

• Year-round indoor space for educational, athletic, music and community programing
• Walking Track
• Turf All-Sports Field
• Collaboration Space
• Locker Room/Team Area
• Weight Training Room
• Storage
• New Parking Area

• Enhanced Football Stadium Entry
  1. New Concessions and Ticket Booth
  2. New Visitor and Home Team Rooms
• New Turf Football Field
• New Stadium Lights, Sound System and Scoreboard
• New Tennis/Pickleball Courts (10) and Parking Area
• New and/or Renovated Baseball and Softball Fields

• Enhanced Security
• Office Renovation
• Fuel Pump Canopy
• Parking Lot Expansion

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures, such as infrastructure and buildings. Similar to a home mortgage, the money is paid back over time.

Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, technology devices and infrastructure, furnishings, equipment, security improvements, and other capital needs. Bond funds cannot be spent on operational expenses, such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, maintenance, and textbooks.

The proposed projects are based on three key priorities:

• Keeping our students warm, safe, and dry: Investing in critical infrastructure improvements, including security enhancements, roofing, HVAC upgrades, and accessibility improvements.
• Providing modernized and expanded learning environments: Renovating and expanding classroom spaces, media centers, and hands-on learning areas.
• Creating innovative, career-readiness, and wellness opportunities: Developing new spaces for STEM, robotics, skilled trades, athletics, and community programs.

• All Schools: Safety and infrastructure improvements to keep our students warm, safe, and dry
• Early Childhood Expansion: More space for young learners, including a new classroom wing and support spaces
• High School Upgrades: Renovations to cafeteria, classrooms, and Industrial Technology/skilled-trades program
• Safer Playgrounds & Parking Improvements: Accessibility upgrades and better traffic flow
• New STEM & Robotics Center: Innovative hands-on learning space for growing programs
• New Multi-Purpose Field House: Year-round use for academics, athletics, band, and community events
• Stadium & Field Enhancements: New turf fields, tennis/pickleball courts, and modernized team facilities

While funding from this bond proposal is independent of a district’s general fund operating budget, the bond would likely have a positive impact on the district’s general fund by allowing the district to reallocate operating funds that are currently being spent on aging facilities, mechanical systems, and technology. The operational savings generated from new and cost-efficient facilities could be redirected to student programs and resources.

Michigan law requires the expenditure of bond proceeds be audited. The bond proceeds can only be spent for purposes approved by the voters. The bond cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator, or employee salaries, or other operating expenses. An audit would be completed and filed with the Department of Treasury at the end of each bond sale series to ensure compliance.

If the bond proposal is approved, the current tax rate of 12 mills is not expected to increase over the 2024 levy. This means property owners will continue paying the same rate they already are, while enabling $88,135,000 million in improvements for our schools and community. The debt would then be paid back over time.

Absolutely. Allendale Public Schools has consistently demonstrated sound financial stewardship. The district has maintained a stable tax levy of 12 mills for the past seven years, and financial projections indicate it will remain at 12 mills through at least 2033. This is not an increase in the millage rate.

When the community approved the 2017 bond, it did so with the understanding that the 12-mill tax rate would continue until 2043. Thanks to the district’s fiscal responsibility and the continued growth of our community, we are able to propose additional funding while keeping the original 2043 commitment unchanged.

Registered voters may vote via absentee ballot as early as March 27 or in person on May 6, 2025. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. People can register to vote on Election Day with proper documentation. Visit www.michigan.gov/vote for more information, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or locate your polling place.

The Early Childhood Center expansion is necessary due to rising enrollment driven by both community growth and the statewide push for universal preschool. The district has nearly doubled the number of preschool classrooms needed, forcing some to be housed in other buildings, which is not an ideal solution. This expansion would allow all preschool programs to be centralized in the Early Childhood Center, providing a more cohesive learning environment while also ensuring room for future growth. Additionally, the expansion would include a large multi-purpose space, as well as necessary upgrades to food service areas, office space, parking, and playground accessibility to better serve students and families.

The Multi-Purpose Field House would provide year-round access to educational, athletic, music, and community programming for students and residents of all ages. This facility would serve as a flexible space that enhances opportunities for physical education, extracurricular activities, and community wellness. Features such as a turf field, walking track, weight training room, and collaboration spaces would support teams, the marching band, fitness programs, and community events, while also offering a safe, weatherproof environment for year-round use. With dedicated areas for locker rooms, weight training, storage, and parking, this facility would ensure accessibility and convenience for students, athletes, musicians, and community members alike.

Our plan is to have the Fieldhouse open daily, Monday-Friday, when school is in session, from 7:00-9:00 a.m. for community use of the walking track. We also intend to make the facility available to various community groups as needed, such as AYSO soccer, Youth Cheerleading and Little League baseball. Other districts that have fieldhouses have shared their calendars with us and we will use those as a guide for making decisions on how to ensure that the facility is available to the community.

Allendale Public Schools is committed to providing early learning opportunities that benefit our community and help ensure long-term student success. The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) serves as an important pathway for young learners to build a strong foundation for their education—and many of these students continue their education at APS beyond preschool.

While a small percentage of GSRP students are non-residents, the vast majority have strong ties to Allendale, such as being the children of APS staff, having siblings already enrolled in the district, or living closer to APS than their assigned home district. Additionally, historical enrollment trends show that most non-resident GSRP students choose to continue their education at APS, reinforcing that GSRP serves as an important feeder program for the district.

Here’s how the numbers break down:

• 2024-25: Out of 160 GRSP students, 14 total non-resident GSRP students, and:
  • 3 are children of APS staff members.
  • 6 have older siblings attending APS.
  • 5 have other ties to the district, such as APS being geographically closer than their home district.
• 2023-24: Out of 120 GSRP students, 24 were non-residents, and 18 have already committed to attending APS for Young 5s or kindergarten.
• 2022-23: Out of 54 GSRP students, 6 were non-residents, and 4 enrolled at APS the following year.
• 2021-22: Out of 54 GSRP students, 7 were non-residents, and 5 continued at APS the following year.