The recently rejected $155,000,000 bond proposal included upgrades to the performing arts center, musical instruments, improved playgrounds, a natatorium dehumidification system, tennis courts, construction of a multi-purpose building, modification to school building entrances, construction of a new middle school, technology investments, transportation upgrades, high school renovations, a new roof, new carpet, air handlers, and more.
King Media was hired by GHAPS to determine why the proposal failed. Many survey respondents commented on a lack of maintenance of currently owned school buildings, and wondered how additional facilities would be maintained.
According to GHAPS Board of Education President Christine Baker and Trustee Marc Eickholt at the June 12, 2023, BOE meeting, as reported in the Grand Haven Tribune, the bond money could have relieved the general fund and been used for maintenance expenses. Note the board president is Christine Baker, not Christine Burns.
But according to Michigan law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.
Because costs to maintain schools cannot come out of bond funds, it is tempting for school districts to perform minimal maintenance and then request bond money from taxpayers to upgrade existing facilities or build new facilities. Two survey respondents clearly understood how new construction is paid with bond money, but maintenance expenditures come from the general fund. These respondents questioned the district’s ability to cover future maintenance costs.
Another respondent seemed to focus on the district’s confusion with this matter.
Residents have concerns with the district’s ability to properly maintain new infrastructure and manage maintenance once these new facilities are constructed.
The bottom line is that maintenance costs come from operating and maintenance budgets, not bond funds. If GHAPS cannot afford to maintain existing infrastructure, they will not be able to maintain additional future infrastructure. On November 7, 2023, they are again asking for funding for two new bond proposals. They essentially split the May proposal into two smaller proposals and removed a few busses to save $10 million. Do you think this solves the maintenance issue?