Quarterly Update from Superintendent Cassidy

Sinking Fund Proposal for the May 5, 2026 Election

We are grateful for your continued support of our schools and students. This May, we will place a Sinking Fund Proposal on the ballot that maintains the current millage rate of 1.25 mills, while adding language to expand how the funds can be used. In addition to supporting ongoing facility repairs and improvements, the updated language would allow the district to use these funds for transportation and maintenance vehicles. 

• No increase in the current millage rate
• Expanded language, which will include funding for transportation and maintenance vehicles
• Helps maintain and protect voter-approved bond investments
• Reduces strain on the general operating budget

This proposal reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship and ensuring our schools remain safe, functional, and well-maintained for years to come.

A Sinking Fund and a Bond Millage are both voter-approved funding tools, but they serve different purposes:

• Sinking Fund: Used for pay-as-you-go expenses like building repairs, maintenance, and certain equipment (e.g., buses or maintenance vehicles). It cannot be used for salaries.

• Bond Millage: Used for large capital projects like constructing or renovating schools, major upgrades, and infrastructure. It cannot be used for salaries.  

This is important as we work to protect and maintain the investments our community has already made through past bond projects, while also reducing pressure on our general operating budget. 

Construction Updates from Bond Proposals: Every building in the district will experience some form of change over the next 3 years. 

There are major construction and renovation projects happening around the district:

Heights: Building remodel will be complete in the summer of 2026 with students moving back in for the 2026/2027 school year.  

West:  Building remodel is progressing with completion prior to the 2027 school year.  

Jefferson Building:  A remodel will begin in the summer of 2027 with this becoming the new home for HLA. (see 5-year plan below)  The remodel will be completed prior to the 2028/2029 school year.  

HMS: Possible renovations to the front entrance to provide improved sight lines and increased building security.  

HHS: HVAC units are scheduled to be replaced in the summer of 2027.  

Athletic Fields: Ground breaking will begin on the new Football field in the summer of 2026. Updated track, baseball, and softball fields will be completed prior to the 2027 seasons. 

Longfellow: Will be vacated by Heights in the summer of 2026.   Head Start will move into this building and vacate Maplewood Elementary.   Holland Christian will be leasing most of the Longfellow building while they work through the remodel of their South Elementary building.  

Maplewood: Will be vacant after this school year.   The Board of Education is exploring the sale of this property to a builder that can do the following:

• Reflect and complement the character of the neighborhood
• Maintain access to the athletic fields currently used at Maplewood Park
• Provide housing options that support our families
• Include attainable housing opportunities for school employees.

VanRaalte: Will be vacant in the fall of 2029.  The district will be exploring the possible sale of this facility.

5-Year Facility Plan

As announced last year, the district is making progress on our 5-Year Facility Plan includes projects already in planning or currently underway (see above). It also includes re-districting the Jefferson neighborhood zone and the remodeling Jefferson Elementary as the new home for Holland Language Academy. This plan will:

• Place every student and staff member in updated facilities
• Right-size the district by consolidating elementary schools
• Reduce operating costs so that our General Fund is used to support teachers and students

Jefferson Elementary 

The most difficult aspect of these changes will be consolidation of elementary schools, with Jefferson attendance lines being redrawn to split students between Heights and West in the fall of 2027.  Jefferson staff have done an amazing job of creating a great community of learning and growth, but as a district, we need to right-size.    

• Why?:  Three of our Elementary Schools are currently operating with 2 sections (classes) or less per grade level.   Two-section schools are very difficult to run efficiently. Three or four section buildings have the flexibility to protect low class sizes without being a significant financial burden on the district. Through our current renovation projects, we can update the West and Heights facilities to accommodate an extra classroom per grade level.  
• Why Jefferson?:  Holland Heights is our only building East of US 31. Holland West has the footprint to hold four classrooms per grade level. Splitting the attendance zone of Jefferson will allow Heights to operate as a 3-section building and West to operate as a 4-seciton building. This will reduce the number of buildings needed in Holland.  

Process and Timeline for Redistricting:

• Spring of 2026-  Attendance lines will be initially explored to determine an equitable distribution of students that will also allow for efficient school transportation.
• Late Spring of 2026-   Community meetings will be held to share draft attendance boundaries and gather feedback from community members.  
• Fall of 2027-  Attendance boundaries will be revisited after Student Count.  
• Late Fall of 2027- New Elementary attendance boundaries will be taken to the Holland Board of Education for approval.  
• Spring of 2027- Families will be notified of their zoned elementary school for the 2027/2028 school year.