HOLLAND — The Holland Public Schools Board of Education is asking the community to consider a school bond proposal on the Aug. 5 ballot. If approved, this $49.23 million bond would fund significant improvements across the district.

District officials said the proposal aims to ensure that every K-5 student would have updated learning spaces by fall 2028. 

A primary component of this effort is the renovation of Jefferson Elementary, which complements ongoing work at Holland Heights and West Elementary schools. The projects are part of a district reorganization, spelled out in the district’s Five-Year Facility Plan.

Grand Haven Public Schools is doing something similar. It was announced in February that it will be redistricting the boundaries for elementary school buildings to adapt to declining enrollment. 

The Holland district says it is actually now gaining students.

Superintendent Nick Cassidy said in a statement on the district’s website that the new plan aims to make sure all schools are “upgraded, 21st-century facilities” and reduce operational costs.

“I recognize that change is hard, but I am also confident this plan will positively benefit all students, staff and the Holland Community,” Cassidy said in the statement. 

The district’s wish list: 

Beyond the elementary school enhancements, the proposal includes:

• Plans for a new stadium at Holland High School, intended for athletics, performing arts, and broader community use. 
• Replacing roofs and updating heating/cooling systems, including the high school's geothermal plant, and purchasing new buses. 
• Refurbished of tennis courts for pickleball, updates to locker rooms at both Holland High School and Holland Middle School
• Continued improvements to security and technology district-wide.

"This proposal would generate $49,225,000 for improvements across the District, and if approved is projected to maintain the current millage rate of 4.73 mills — consistent with the rate set by voters in May 2021," a statement from the district said. 

This proposed rate is notably more than 2 mills lower than the rate homeowners paid in 2016.

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Previous bond proved successful

The district statement emphasized that this new proposal builds upon the success of a 2021 bond, the "Build21" initiative, which has already brought about substantial changes. 

Under that bond, the following improvements are underway: 

• A new Nature-Based Holland Heights Elementary School is currently under construction and is scheduled to open for K-5 students in the Fall of 2026. 
• At West Elementary, new classrooms and learning spaces are set to begin renovations this summer. 
• New playgrounds and other upgrades have been made at K-5 buildings since 2022, and students at Holland Middle School and Holland High School are utilizing newly renovated common learning spaces and classrooms. 
• Technology, transportation and security have all seen improvements as a result of the previous bond.

Holland Public School District officials encourage community members to participate in the vote on Aug. 5. See the official ballot language here. 

— Sarah Leach is the executive editor of the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at sleach@ottawanewsnetwork.org. Follow her on Twitter @ONNLeach.