2025 Bond Proposal

What is a bond proposal and how can funds from a bond be spent?  

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment, technology, and other capital needs. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and must be audited by an independent auditing firm. 

What is the focus of the August 5, 2025 bond proposal? 

The focus of the bond proposal is to enhance learning environments and community spaces throughout the district with the following projects:

• Renovate Jefferson Elementary to ensure that every K-5 student would have updated learning spaces by the Fall of 2028.

• Build a New Stadium at Holland High for Athletics, Performing Arts, & community use.

• Replace building systems like roofs & heating/cooling systems, including HHS geothermal plant.

• Purchase new buses.

• Refurbish tennis courts for pickleball.

• Update locker rooms at Holland High School and Holland Middle School.

• Continue to update security & technology around the district.

How would this bond support learning and student experiences in the district?

Recent improvements to Holland Heights and West Elementary will provide students in these spaces with updated, modernized learning environments. This bond would build on this progress and allow for renovations at Jefferson to help to ensure that every student would have updated learning environments throughout the district. 

Modernized spaces include space for collaboration and today’s learning best practices, providing flexible furniture and technology, natural light, improved air quality, and an overall improved experience for students and staff.

How would the bond proposal impact my property taxes? 

If approved by voters, zero mill increase is expected for Holland Public Schools property owners. The millage rate would remain the same as the current rate.

To find your property’s taxable value visit:  Home | City of Holland | BS&A Online (City of Holland) or https://bsaonline.com/?uid=380 (Allegan County). 

Why a bond proposal now? 

• Thanks to the support of our community, we have been able to make significant improvements to our facilities in recent years, but we have not been able to renovate Jefferson to the same degree, meaning that, in its current state, Jefferson students would not have access to the same learning experience as other students.

• Our community has also expressed a strong desire for a stadium to better serve all the activities that we provide students and our community.

• Additionally, aging roofing, heating and cooling, technology, and buses have all been identified as areas of top priority to address.

• The current financial position is for a zero mill increase for property owners, while still providing funds for capital improvements. In a recent survey, over 67% of people supported a zero mill increase proposal.
  
  

Who was involved in determining what to include in the bond proposal? 

• Initial bond planning started with detailed facility assessment to identify core infrastructure projects, coupled with an internal list developed by district administration and operations staff. District directors, building principals, staff, and the Board of Education, were engaged during a series of meetings and staff consultations to help provide input, review, and prioritize the scope of the bond proposal. 

• The proposed bond projects were vetted by the community with a community survey, mailed to all registered voters in the District, and emailed to all staff and parents/guardians. 

• The final determination of scope was made by District administration and the Board of Education.  

Would money from the bond proposal be used to pay administrator or teacher salaries and benefits? 

• No. School districts are not allowed to use funds from a bond for operating expenses such as teacher, administrator or employee salaries, routine maintenance, or operating costs. 

• Bond revenue must be kept separate from operating funds and bond revenue expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.  

How would I know the bond funds would be spent the way they are supposed to be spent?  

• Michigan law requires that expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses. 

• An audit would be completed at the end of each project to ensure compliance.  

What is the plan to keep facility improvement disruptions to a minimum? 

Work at our school buildings would be scheduled in a way that would limit interference with day-to-day operations or community safety. Most of the construction work would be completed during the summer months. When ongoing work occurs during school days, there would be a clear separation between construction and school operations. Safety is paramount and would be the key factor in determining the construction sequencing.

If I rent a house, can I vote?   

Yes, if you rent a house you can still vote. You do need to be a registered voter in the city or township you are living in.

How do I register to vote?  

It is recommended by the Secretary of State to register to vote by mail, or online at Michigan.gov/vote by June 23, 2025. Individuals may also register to vote in-person at their local clerk’s office through August 5, 2025, with the required documentation. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote.  

How is an absentee voter ballot obtained?  

Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive their absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then mail or email it to your local clerk. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote. When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.  

If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained online at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available by June 26 through August 5, 2025 .

Where can I find more information about this bond proposal? 

• Visit the district website at www.hollandpublicschools.org/2025Bond

• Come to our community events! The HPS table will have information about the Bond:

  • June 21: I AM Academy Juneteenth Celebration at Kollen Park

  • July 20: LAUP Fiesta at the Civic Center

  • July 31: HPS Summer Learning Celebration at West Elementary

• Follow us on social media  

How can I request a district representative to speak at a neighborhood, service club or business organization meeting?  

Please contact Nick Cassidy, Superintendent, by phone at (616) 494-2005 or via email at ncassidy@hollandpublicschools.org

Where and when will the vote occur?    

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 is election day, but absentee voting can occur leading up to that date. All registered voters may cast an absentee voter ballot by mail. Voters may cast a ballot at the polling location established by their city/township. If you have questions or do not know where you vote, please contact your city/township office. Polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

What are the key dates leading up to the Tuesday, August 5, 2025 election day?  

• Registering to vote:  

• The last day for voters to register by mail is July 21, 2025

• Voters may register in-person through August 5, 2025 (election day) with the required documentation  

• Absentee Voting:   

• Absentee voter ballots are available from June 26 until August 5, 2025

• Contact your local clerk with questions

Who may I contact if I have additional questions?

Please contact Nick Cassidy, Superintendent, by phone at (616) 494-2005 or via email at ncassidy@hollandpublicschools.org with further questions about the bond proposal.

What oversights would hold the district accountable? 

If approved by voters, the district’s Architect/Engineer would design the proposed projects and prepare construction documents and specifications for the projects. Once the projects are designed, the district’s Construction Manager will assemble bid packages and publicly advertise to solicit competitive bids for all work. This is required by law, as outlined in the Revised School Code. This process ensures that the district selects the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. All qualified contractors will have an opportunity to attend a pre-bid meeting to obtain additional information and project clarification. All qualified contractors will have the opportunity to participate in the competitive bid process.

At what point would the State of Michigan, as well as the local fire and police departments, provide input into the bond projects? 

Each project will be required to be submitted to both the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) and the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) for both plan review and permitting. These agencies will review the projects to ensure they comply with applicable codes, before any building permits are issued.  Building plans and specifications must be signed and sealed by a Licensed Architect/Professional Engineer before submission.

As of March 21, 2019, Michigan law requires school districts to consult on the plans for the construction or major renovation regarding school safety issues with the law enforcement agency that is the first responder for that school building. This consultation would happen after a bond proposal has been approved by voters, before construction documents are finalized prior to project commencement.