May 2022 Bond Proposal
May 19, 2022
Dear Families and Community Members of Holly Area Schools,
Thank you for supporting the 2022 Bond Proposal that will help us continue to prepare all Bronchos for the jobs of tomorrow. I am excited to announce a schedule of bond construction projects through 2026 funded by the voter-approved 2022 Bond.
The $97 million bond will fund new and enhanced learning environments, districtwide building and site improvements and safety upgrades to help prepare all Bronchos for careers and success.
The 2022 Bond will include:
- A new middle school with increased classroom space, career lab, and enhanced fine arts and athletic facilities,
- Enhanced learning environments districtwide, including fine arts, athletics, instructional technology, and a new construction trades center, and
- Replacement of worn playground structures and septic systems, new fire protection upgrades and more safety improvements.
Currently, the district is completing projects from the 2018 Bond, including the East Student Parking Lot at Holly High School (scheduled for completion by Fall 2022).
The 2022 Bond Projects will go through several phases including design, state approval, bidding and construction. Preparations are underway for each of the projects, 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:
- Status of remaining/past-useful-life equipment, systems and materials
- Identifying buildings with largest-scale projects
- Maximizing on-site time of contractors
- Awareness of districtwide equity issues
- Available bond funds in each series
2022 Initial Launch of Projects
- Davisburg Elementary and Rose Pioneer septic system
- Tennis courts
- PA (Public Announcement System); sound and clock systems
- Replacement of West Lot High School parking lot and bus loop
- Design process begins Summer 2022
- Anticipated start of construction: Summer 2023
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2023
High School Construction Trades Center
- Design process begins Summer 2022
- Anticipated start of construction: Fall 2023
- Goal of project completion: Spring 2024
(New) Holly Middle School at Karl Richter Campus
- Design process begins Summer 2022
- Anticipated start of construction: Fall 2023
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2025
Holly Middle School track and athletic fields at Karl Richter Campus
- Design process begins Summer 2022
- Demo of current KRC Building begins Summer 2024
- Anticipated start of construction: Fall 2024
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2025
Holly High School Athletic Stadium track surface replacement and turf athletic field, and Marching Band Practice Field
- Design process begins Spring 2023
- Anticipated start of construction: Spring 2024
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2024
Holly High School baseball/softball field parking lot
- Design process begins Winter 2024
- Anticipated start of construction: Spring 2025
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2025
Holly High School Auditorium upgrades
- Design process begins January 2025
- Anticipated start of construction: Summer 2026
- Goal of project completion: Fall 2026
Planning for each of the large bond projects will begin approximately 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/directors 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 the competitive modern workforce. We 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. Your continued investment in our district helps ensure a safe, nurturing learning environment that helps all Bronchos achieve and succeed.
For ongoing updates on projects, please visit our website.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Roper, Superintendent – Holly Area Schools
HAS 2022 Bond Project Timeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
CONTACT: Christopher Behnan, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, (248) 767-4377
Bond approved to prepare all Bronchos for success
Bond to fund critical safety improvements, create new learning opportunities for all Bronchos
HOLLY, Mich. — Voters on Tuesday approved a $97 million bond that will fund new and enhanced learning environments, districtwide building and site improvements, and safety upgrades to help prepare all Bronchos for careers and success with no tax rate increase to property owners.
“Our amazing community has again demonstrated its generosity and commitment to the success of all Bronchos, and I would like to personally thank them for passing this bond that will help us continue to prepare all students for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Scott Roper, Holly Area Schools superintendent. “Our community’s investment in our Bronchos will also help us continue providing a safe, nurturing and welcoming learning environment that helps prepare all students for bright futures.”
The bond will fund:
- A new middle school with increased classroom space, career lab, enhanced fine arts and athletic facilities,
- Enhanced learning environments, including fine arts, athletics, instructional technology, and a new construction trades center, and
- Replacement of worn playground structures and septic systems, new fire protection upgrades and more safety improvements.
Holly Area Schools continues to demonstrate fiscal accountability and responsibility in its use of tax dollars. Over the past 15 years, the district has saved taxpayers nearly $6 million in interest costs by refinancing outstanding bond debt. The district has also improved its Standard & Poor’s credit rating from an “A-” to an “A.”
“The trust of our community to make wise use of their tax dollars is the cornerstone of our continued success and ability to serve the unique needs of all Bronchos,” Roper said. “We will continue to demonstrate fiscal accountability and responsibility as these projects get underway.”
###
Learn more about Holly Area Schools by visiting www.hask12.org, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
Dear Families and Community Members of Holly Area Schools,
We would like to remind everyone to vote on Tuesday, May 3. Holly Area Schools has a school bond proposal on the election ballot. If approved, this bond proposal would provide $97,000,000 for district-wide improvements, with no tax rate increase to property owners.
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Voters may cast a ballot at the polling location established by their city/township. If you are unsure of your voting location, visit: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index
Please see the frequently asked questions document to help answer your questions.
At Holly Area Schools, we recognize the trust our community places in us to make wise use of their tax dollars, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I encourage you to review this page to learn more about the facts of our bond proposal.
Sincerely,
Scott Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools
April 29, 2022
Dear Families and Community Members of Holly Area Schools,
We would like to remind everyone to vote next Tuesday, May 3. Holly Area Schools has a school bond proposal on the election ballot. If approved, this bond proposal would provide $97 million for district-wide improvements with no tax rate increase to property owners.
This bond proposal addresses the highest priority projects and focuses on three key areas:
- Safety and security. If approved, the bond would fund several health and safety projects, including upgrading fire protection and public address systems, improving parking lots and sidewalks, and replacing worn playground structures.
- Providing our students with skills to compete. The bond would help enhance academic, professional trades, performing arts and athletic opportunities districtwide to help prepare all Bronchos for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Making necessary repairs to aging infrastructure. This proposal would fund the construction of a new middle school to replace our aging building with expanded learning spaces, a career lab, fine arts and athletics facilities. It would include additional building and site improvements, including replacement of septic systems at Davisburg and Rose Pioneer elementary schools.
Learn more on the district website, www.hask12.org/has-bond/may-2022-bond-proposal.
Here, you will find facts about the bond proposal, including a frequently asked questions document. Unfortunately, some misinformation regarding the district’s bond proposal was recently mailed out to some Holly residents. This is why getting the facts is so important.
- This is a no tax increase proposal. If approved by voters, this bond proposal would not raise the current Holly Area Schools bond millage rate for district property owners.
- The May 3 election date was selected to avoid additional cost to taxpayers. Postponing the bond proposal would extend the financial burden on the district’s general fund to pay costs of critical facility repairs and improvements. A later proposal also would have resulted in increased construction costs due to inflation.
- Record of fiscal responsibility, accountability. Over the past 15 years, Holly Area Schools has saved taxpayers nearly $6 million in interest costs by refinancing outstanding bond debt. The district has also improved its Standard & Poor’s credit rating from an “A-“ to an “A.”
- These will be environmentally sound improvement projects. All projects will be overseen by architects and builders, and have multiple regulatory agencies involved during the construction process to ensure we are following code, best practices and safety procedures.
At Holly Area Schools, we recognize the trust our community places in us to make wise use of their tax dollars, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I again encourage you to visit www.hask12.org/has-bond/may-2022-bond-proposal to learn more about the facts of our bond proposal on the Tuesday, May 3 ballot.
Sincerely,
Scott Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools
On May 3, 2022 our community will vote on a Holly Area Schools bond proposal. If approved, this bond proposal would provide $97,000,000 for district-wide improvements, with no tax rate increase to property owners. This bond proposal was developed and prioritized as Phase 2 of the Master Plan for district facilities. Buildings, sites, and educational programs were assessed to determine and prioritize a list of facility needs throughout the district.
Bond Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Bond Proposal Building Graphics of Project Improvements
If you have further questions, contact Scott Roper, Superintendent at (248) 328-3147 or by e-mail at scott.roper@hask12.org
Paid for by Holly Area Schools
On May 3, 2022 our community will vote on a Holly Area Schools bond proposal. If approved, this bond proposal would provide $97,000,000 for district-wide improvements, with no tax rate increase to property owners. This bond proposal was developed and prioritized as Phase 2 of the Master Plan for district facilities. Buildings, sites, and educational programs were assessed to determine and prioritize a list of facility needs throughout the district.
Bond Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Bond Proposal Building Graphics of Project Improvements
Full May 2022 Bond Proposal Video
