Mark your calendar
Community Presentation and Tour at Lakeshore Middle School
November 16, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Grand Haven, did you know GHAPS leadership is moving forward with a plan to build a new middle school near the intersection of 152nd and Lincoln? Currently, bond meetings are continuing every other week as well as visits to similar construction projects. GHAPS has already hired the architectural firm, Owen-Ames-Kimball, as well as the planning company, GMB.
Currently the GHAPS student enrollment is on a major decline, so the demand for a new school is unrelated to capacity. The GHAPS website states prior to the construction of the Ferris St High School, the facility at Lakeshore Middle School housed over 1000 students. Today the building accommodates only around 750 students. GHAPS leaders claim new construction is necessary because the average age of GHAPS structures is “creeping toward qualifying for Social Security.” (The average age is 61 years.) Is Lakeshore Middle School really in that bad of a state?
According to the GHAPS website, “Lakeshore Middle School was completely remodeled during the summer of 2010 with new energy-efficient windows and doors, and new heating, cooling and lighting systems.” With that kind of renovation work the only thing that remains outdated is the color of the tile. Perhaps the gymnasium floor could use some work as could the football field, as it’s been known to flood in the spring. Regardless, the expensive work has already been completed. These repairs along with minor upgrades and maintenance could likely be completed for a fraction of the cost of building a new school. Wouldn’t it be great to have a non-biased, independent company give the taxpayers a second opinion?
According to their website, GMB’s specialty is “partnering with educational institutions to live out their purpose and vision through successful planning and building campaigns.” Superintendent Scott Grimes stated GMB was selected because they are a sort of “car wash” that will help bring the project from start to finish including pre-bond planning and passage of the bond. It seems GMB’s specialty is the placing of bond proposals on ballots when they are most likely to be passed by unaware members of the public.
In addition to a new middle school, GHAPS plans to “spruce up the entrances” of several schools and build a new multi-purpose building. During the April 22, 2022 board retreat, Superintendent Grimes said the district construction plans would require more than one bond proposal because if they tried to do it all at once Grand Haven residents would have “sticker shock.” Today they claim if citizens vote for a new bond to support construction of a new middle school taxes will not increase. While this may be true, taxes would go down if residents do not approve the new construction proposal.
According to the GHAPS website, “In 2009, our community passed a $4.9 million technology bond. [] In 2014 another bond was passed for $18.9 million for technology for the next 10 years.” Recall that former Technology Director Brian Wheeler was in charge of this money and he was arrested for embezzlement. Currently, parents are asked to do fundraisers just so regular school programs such as band and choir can operate normally. Don’t the teachers receive sufficient funding to run their departments? Thousands of dollars were spent on billboards and diversity.
Can we really trust those currently in charge to be transparent with our tax dollars and upcoming district construction plans?
What do you think will happen to Lakeshore Middle School once a new school is constructed far out in Robinson Township? GHAPS leaders have mentioned selling the property so it can be demolished or turned into apartments. They have also mentioned building a new elementary school on the property. The football field flooding issue should be a red flag to any potential developer interested in demolition/new construction. Would this lower potential proceeds? How much will it cost just to bring water, sanitary sewer, power, communications and road upgrades to the proposed new school site? What would happen if the land at 152nd and Lincoln was sold to a developer to construct a subdivision? Perhaps the proceeds from that sale would result in a better option for the community? Wouldn’t it be a good idea to at least get the warranty out of the windows and doors and geothermal system before it’s demolished?
How are these decisions being made? Do school officials really have the best interests of students, parents and taxpayers in mind or are they prioritizing the interests of construction companies and GH image?
Whatever is decided you can be sure the decisions will affect all taxpayers, not just those who have children that attend GHAPS schools. If you are a community member, I encourage you to attend this meeting and start asking questions. I would especially like to see those with backgrounds in construction in attendance. Your community needs you!
Mark your calendar
Community Presentation and Tour at Lakeshore Middle School
November 16, 2022 at 6:00 pm
