2019-2022 Bond Project Updates
Dear Holly Area Schools families,
I am excited to announce our bond construction projects through 2022, which will provide critical school safety and building enhancements along with technology upgrades to help prepare our Bronchos for the modern workforce.
Thank you for supporting our November 2018 bond proposal. Your support is a remarkable investment in ensuring a safe, nurturing learning environment that helps all Bronchos achieve and succeed.
The first phase of bond projects, scheduled for this summer, will focus on school safety and security in all district buildings. The projects will be funded through the recent sale of $21.5 million of Series 1 Bonds and Series 2 Bonds to be sold in spring of 2021. Projects for summer 2019 include:
● Additional security cameras districtwide
● Enhanced security door hardware in all buildings
● New Davisburg Elementary playground equipment
● Holly Middle School food service and kitchen upgrades
● Final phase of new Holly High School boilers and chillers
The largest-scale bond projects are scheduled for summer 2020 and summer 2021. Technology upgrades are scheduled for each construction season. For more details on project timing, please visit the Bond Project Schedule page.
Additionally, with the sale of our 2008 and 2009 refunding bonds, we have saved the district $434,154 in interest costs. The successful sale of our Series 1 Bonds and the refunding bonds can be attributed to our improved Standard & Poor’s credit rating from “A-” to “A.” This news, along with HAS recently being named one of just 14 Most Fiscally Improved Districts by the State of Michigan, sets us on firm financial footing now and well into the future.
Preparations are underway for subsequent construction phases, including meetings with architects, engineers, construction managers and facility consultants. Working with these experienced experts, we’ve created a bond project timeline to best serve the needs of our district.
The project team reviewed several factors in developing the project schedule, including:
● Safety and security priorities, based on community input
● Status of remaining/past-useful-life equipment, systems and materials
● Identifying buildings with largest-scale projects
● Maximizing on-site time of contractors
● Awareness of equity issues districtwide
● Available bond funds in each series
Planning for each of the large bond projects will begin more than one year before construction, including programming, schematic design, design development, final construction documents and state review. During the design phase of select projects, building principals will seek input from students, staff and parents.
I am very excited to see our bond projects take shape, which will help us continue providing all students with new and diverse learning opportunities that prepare them for 21stcentury careers. I will periodically provide updates on the status of our bond projects throughout the construction schedule.
Again, thank you for helping us continue to make Holly Area Schools a great place for students to learn, grow and thrive.
Sincerely,
Scott Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools
Downloadable version of Bond Project Parent LetterPress Release
January 25, 2019 - Holly Area Schools announces bond construction projects through 2022
Link to the bond project schedule
Bond Project Schedule