A Tough Call in Tough Times
by Steve Grose, Board President
The front page headline in Wednesday's Holland Sentinel (Jan. 20) probably woke you up quicker on that morning than your first cup of coffee.
What?!? An upcoming $73 million bond request?!? What is the Holland Public School Board thinking?!?
If this was your reaction, you weren't alone. Our school board did authorize Superintendent Brian Davis to begin the process with the Michigan Department of Treasury so that we could bring forward a comprehensive building bond request on the annual school election ballot in May. Given the depth of the stressful and difficult economic environment we are in, I will concede that our likely request to district voters has set the stage for each one of us to make a very tough call in very tough times.
As a school district with a 162 year-old history, Holland Public has made some difficult financial decisions since 2000. Due to declining enrollment and reduced operating revenues, several of our school buildings were closed, several different grade-level structures were tried, custodial services were outsourced, and budget cuts and caps affecting our instructional program were the order of the day, year after year.
The general budget squeeze weighing down our district was well understood by most in our community. After all, nearly everyone was experiencing similar difficulties at home.
Since 2000, our students, parents, and staff (and you!) all became reluctant, yet exceptional, agents of change. The loyalty of our families, the professionalism and dedication of our staff, and the support of our community and church partners were tested time and time again. Of course, with Holland being what it is — we successfully persevered.
Voters overwhelmingly approved our sinking fund request for major repairs, our area wide request for special education funding, and our annual non-homestead millage requests. Parents, retirees, and faith-based volunteers stayed active in our schools. Any lamentations that our community does not care enough about the education of our children will not come from me or any other school board trustee.
So then, how did we get to the place where many of you were surprised to read a $73 million headline a few days ago?
Simply stated, since the last building bond request for Holland Public Schools in 1988, we've come to the point with our 50 year-old school buildings (average age) that we cannot delay the inevitable. Not only are our older roofs, boilers, windows and frames, and heating & cooling systems well beyond the band-aid fix-ups we've been relying upon, the demands for learning in the 21st Century call for flexible environments and technology infrastructure well beyond what we can afford to provide.
The double whammy of addressing aging facilities and renovating current learning spaces in light of the reforms and expectations of the future is not a problem our school board has deftly sought to drop off at your doorstep.
Please think back. After several prior re-structuring attempts, in consultation with parents, teachers, and community, and with Superintendent Davis' able leadership, we committed ourselves to a more family-friendly, more neighborhood friendly K-7 school structure in fall, 2009. Once again, several schools were closed, but we aligned our costs and revenues well enough to launch an effective 8th grade program at Holland High and build upon the tradition of academic achievement there. We did this without asking you for additional support.
As part of our district's re-configuration, we added a credit recovery and drop-out prevention program at the former Van Raalte School called VR Tech. This program is in its first year and is meeting an incredible need in our community. There is the potential to double the students we serve in this technology-supported program, but the direct costs associated with remodeling Van Raalte properly are funds we just do not have.
Over the last couple of years, our school board remained in dialogue with parents, staff, community members, and city and business leaders. There was general agreement about the need for Holland Public Schools to update its aging facilities as well as to embark on a new course for providing 21st century learning. Concerns arose when discussing how to pay for these necessities, however, as everyone was sensitive to current economic struggles.
With an understanding of the various perspectives, Superintendent Davis, school administrators, and construction experts began to research the possible costs. When the tab for building new facilities approached the $120-150 million range, this course was quickly rejected as unrealistic.
One year ago, at the urging of State Representative Joe Haveman and other legislators in Lansing, our district submitted a detailed "shovel ready" district wide building plan proposal as part of Michigan's pursuit for federal stimulus dollars. Our district's plan totaled more than $99 million. Despite the advocacy of Rep. Haveman, no federal funds were forthcoming.
During this school year we have seen significant reductions in our state per-pupil foundation grant. This bad news made our urgent need to replace roofs, boilers, and energy-efficient windows seem overwhelming. Thanks to a new "shared time" partnership with Holland Christian and other internal cost control measures, ,we were able to press ahead and maintain a forward vision.
In looking ahead to 2010-2011, Superintendent Davis recently brought to the school board an exciting recommendation to join the national New Tech Network and start a New Tech high school program in the shuttered Longfellow School. With the network's proven track record of effective project-based learning, increased student achievement, and expanded participation with area colleges and the business community, we voted to approve Superintendent Davis' recommendation. We knew that providing three options; Holland High, VR Tech, and Holland New Tech would serve 8th-12th graders well.
So, back to the drawing board we went. Having rejected the costs of new construction ($120-150 million) and eliminating the "bells & whistles" included in our federal stimulus dollar proposal ($99 million), we began figuring out baseline costs for the needed extensive renovating and upgrading of Holland High, Van Raalte, Longfellow, and our four K-7 schools. Knowing the tough times we're in, our work centered on addressing our urgent facility needs and how best to provide education to children in our district so that they could be successful in the ever-growing international marketplace. Only our needs, not our wants, made the list Superintendent Davis is taking to the Department of Treasury for review. The total cost of meeting the needs of our district is about $73 million.
As board president, I am pleased that Superintendent Davis is going to Lansing without hat in hand asking for state or federal assistance. He is going to Lansing to come back with an approved proposal we can place on the ballot back in our own community and respectfully ask for your consideration. The future direction of Holland Public Schools will be our choice to make.
The Department of Treasury approval process takes about 30 days. More details will then come your way. Our board has been mindful of the admonition to avoid frills and extravagances. Please give Holland Public Schools your consideration in the weeks leading up to the May 4 election.
