What are the priorities of Grand Haven Area Public Schools? With student enrollment declining, test scores declining, and student behavior worsening, GHAPS administrators are asking voters to approve a bond. With an additional $155,000,000, Superintendent Scott Grimes promises voters a new middle school, new playgrounds for every elementary school at a cost of $500,000 per school, a new indoor multi-purpose facility at GHHS, a new Steinway piano and band instruments for the music department, new secure entrances for every GHAPS building, and a multitude of building improvements. The district has spent a lot of time and money putting together videos, conducting surveys, attending meetings, and compiling lists on how they are going to spend $155,000,000 of tax payer’s hard earned money.
GHAPS hasn’t been the best steward of the district’s current bond funds, but that’s an article for another time. Here are some things to consider in regards to the GHAPS $155 million bond proposal.
What will improve your child’s education? Is a $150,000 piano going to improve your child’s education?
GHAPS plans to purchase a Steinway Model D 9’ concert grand piano. A quick question to Google reveals that a Steinway Model D 9’ costs approximately $171,000. Wow!!!
Did you know that only 40% of MI schools charge fees for students to play sports? In Grand Haven, it costs $120 per sport for middle school and $150 per sport for high school. Parents must pay fees of around $30 for their children to take certain art classes, and students in music programs are asked to participate in fund raisers each year. I find it quite ironic that the district cannot afford these basic expenditures yet makes plans to purchase a $171,000 piano. How many piano lessons could you purchase with $171,000?
Do you trust the GHAPS School Board and Administration to be good stewards of your money? How much money has GHAPS lost to theft? How does GHAPS manage funds? How much money was spent in legal fees related to the embezzlement? How much has GHAPS spent on advertising? Why does a public school need to advertise? How much has been spent on woke ideology resources and training?
Here are some recent ways GHAPS funds have been spent.
$944,410 to Infinity Electrical LLC from 2014-2021 (embezzlement)
$150,521.66 to Business Office System Support (embezzlement)
$81,879 to King Media Inc for marketing expenses (2020-21) – billboards etc
$100,261 to King Media Inc for marketing expenses (2021-22) – billboards etc
$121,435 to Thrun Law Firm (2021-22)
$64,000 to Plant Moran (Forensic Audit)
$464,850 Access Road at High School
$34,500 Design Group International for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Training
$10,993 Development Advanced Behavioral Health for Trauma Training and Social Emotional Learning
How will traffic on Lincoln Street be affected? Lincoln Street will likely need left and right turn lanes added, and be closed for long durations during sewer, water, and fiber optic installations. How will that effect our tax bill?
Who will benefit the most from building a new school? It will be nice for students to have access to the latest technology, but pencils, paper, and books have long been the traditional tools of teachers. I would argue that the architects and construction companies would benefit most. Isn’t it interesting that GHAPS administration has contracted with a company that specializes in pushing through bond proposals?
Moving the middle school out of the city will leave a hole in the city. What is the long-term impact of this decision? This will be less pleasant for those who made a conscious decision to live in town as their children will now be riding a bus. Likewise, it will be less pleasant for those who made a conscious decision to live in the quiet countryside. What about the environmental destruction required to construct the new middle school? Will wetlands be destroyed? We live in a throw-away society. Are we now going to throw away a school?