Grand Haven Area Public Schools built a road to nowhere that cost taxpayers nearly $500,000. Although many people don’t know of its existence, those living nearby consider it a beautiful path for biking and walking as it creates a perfect loop with existing roads and pathways. The access road runs parallel to US 31 and connects Grand Haven High School with Rosy Mound Road. Its construction costs were approved in August 2020.
As a taxpayer I have many questions regarding the construction of this road, but the most obvious is What is the purpose of this access road? According to former GHAPS Superintendent Andy Ingall, who spoke at the May 14, 2018 Grand Haven Charter Township meeting this road was for occasional use.
Construction of the road was approved by Grand Haven Charter Township on August 10, 2020.
That same night GHAPS School Board Trustee Carl Treutler moved to spend $464,850 of bond funds for construction of the access road. The motion was approved by Christine Baker and passed 7-0.
The next question is Why build an access road after 23 years? The construction of the Grand Haven High School on Ferris Street was completed in 1997. The school successfully operated for 23 years before the access road was constructed. It is rarely opened and rarely needed. The creation of the road destroyed natural wetlands (more on that coming soon). Not to mention, residents who lived adjacent to the access road were concerned about their property value, but now have a beautiful extension of the bike path to enjoy.
If one purpose of the road was to relieve traffic congestion for major events like homecoming and graduation, why construct the road after 23 years? GHAPS student enrollment has been on a downward trend since at least 2017-18 and is projected to continue until at least 2026-27. Fewer students in attendance should create less of a need for traffic congestion relief, not more.
$464,850 is a lot of money. Why spend it on an unneeded road? Couldn’t this money have been of significantly greater benefit to students if it were allocated differently? Grand Haven High School parents are asked to pay fees for their children to participate in sports, and pay fees to participate in academics during regular school days. Parents of band and choir students are asked to sell apple pies and candy bars just so the teachers can operate their base programs. Art students have to pay extra fees for “supplies”, and parents of elementary students are expected to provide their children with a long list of items every new school year. What would happen if each of those teachers was allocated $5,000 to spend on curriculum expenses?
It just seems odd that GHAPS would spend $464,850 to build an access road for a school that has successfully operated for 23 years with an enrollment that is declining. Why go through the trouble?