Tag Archives: Bond Proposal

Voters approve $29.75M bond proposal, sinking fund millage renewal for Wyoming Public Schools

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The approved bond will provide support for WPS day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range Facility Master Plan (Photo by Jeff Miller/UW-Madison)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


On Tuesday, Nov. 4, voters approved the Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) $29.75M bond proposal and 10-year sinking fund millage renewal.

According to unofficial elections results posted by Kent County, the bond passed with 2,433 votes (60.52%) to 1,587 votes (39.48%). The sinking fund millage renewal passed with 2,461 votes (61.26%) to 1,556 votes (38.74%).

The approved bond will provide support for WPS day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range Facility Master Plan. Projects include new learning spaces for students, air conditioning and secure entrances in remaining buildings, elementary media center updates, and a gym addition at Gladiola Elementary School.

The approved WPS Sinking Fund will replace their expiring Sinking Fund and will focus on repairs, safety, technology replacements, and buses.

More information about the bond proposal and sinking fund millage renewal can be found in the WPS bond proposal informational video and on the WPS website.

Message on the Wyoming Public Schools website:

(Courtesy, WPS)

Wyoming Public Schools ask residents to approve $29.75 million bond, assure voters of tax decrease

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Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan (Video provided by Wyoming Public Schools)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan.

In communications sent to all WPS families, Superintendent Craig Hoekstra encourages community members to be aware of three proposals on the Nov. 4, 2025 election ballot and what each proposal will fund.

(Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)

“This bond, if approved, will allow us to complete our Facility Master Plan that we built many years ago,” said Hoekstra in a video introducing the bond proposal.

“We put a great plan together to completely update our school district. Our buildings were built between the 1940s and the 1960s, so completing our Master Facilities Plan will allow us to execute our vision that best supports our kids today, but also well into the future.”

Bond proposal facts

Supplied by Wyoming Public Schools

  • The Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Millage would be restored and renewed to a total of 0.9 mills for educational and operational programming.
  • The WPS Sinking Fund replaces our expiring Sinking Fund and would result in a no net tax rate increase and focuses on repairs, safety, technology replacements, and buses.
  • The WPS Bond Proposal totals $29.75 million to complete projects identified in our Master Facilities Plan, including new learning spaces for students, air conditioning and secure entrances in remaining buildings, elementary media center updates, and a gym addition at Gladiola. If the Bond Proposal is approved, the overall net debt millage rate is expected to decrease by 0.15 mills.
WPS Bond Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)
WPS Sinking Fund Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)

A tax decrease

Hoekstra went on to say that WPS asked for help from the community three different times – in 2017, 2022 and now 2025 – to avoid the inevitable tax increase of a one-time large bond request.

“We were being very mindful and fiscally responsible with our community with no increase (2017), no increase (2022), and this one is a tax decrease (2025),” said Hoekstra.

This third and final bond request on Nov. 4 will allow WPS to continue work begun with the previous two proposals without any gaps in advancement and completion of the Master Facilities Plan.

“These proposals aren’t just about buildings, they are about creating spaces where students feel safe, supported and ready to succeed,” a WPS student said in the bond proposal video.

“I’m excited because we get to go out to our community, be good stewards of their resources, and just supporting our kids at a very high level moving forward,” said Hoekstra. “What excites me the most is we’re doing this for our kids.”

Learn more

More information on the bond proposals can be found at wyomingps.org.

Area residents head to the polls today for Kentwood city races, state senate seat

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The first Tuesday of November is election day with residents in both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming having candidates to consider as well as a $11.3 million bond proposal from Kelloggsville Public Schools.

Kentwood Elections

The City of Kentwood residents will be voting on several Kentwood City seats. The races that are contested are Mayor, 1st Ward Commissioner, 2nd Ward Commissioner, and a Commissioner-at-large seat. Click the links below for the candidates.

Mayoral Race

1st Ward Commission race

2nd Ward Commission race

Commissioner-at-large race

Wyoming Elections

The City of Wyoming residents will be joining those in the northern Kent County communities to determine who will be the next state senator for the 28th District. Four candidates are vying for the spot left by Peter MacGregor who became the Kent County treasurer last year. Those candidates are Alex Avery (L), Keith Courtade (D), Theodore Gerrard (US Taxpayers), and Mark Huizenga (R). For more on the candidates, click here.

Kelloggsville Bond Propoal

Residents living in the Kelloggsville School District will be voting on a $11.3 million bond proposal that will allow the district to build a S.T.E.M. building at the high school as well as other building and technology projects. For more information on the bond proposal, click here.

Kentwood Public Schools Seeking New Bond on November 3rd

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In May of 2015, the proposal on the Kentwood school bond narrowly failed. After months of gathering feedback and re-evaluating district needs, the bond is being resubmitted for vote on November 3rd.

The revised proposal calls for the residents of Kentwood School District to vote on a $64,860,000 school bond that will enhance safety, improve technology, and increase operational efficiency over a ten-year period. For a homeowner, the proposal would cost about 72 center per week (an increase from 3.5 mills to 4.25 mills) for every $100,000 in market value of your home.

Kentwood Public Schools High SchoolAs a Kentwood resident, here’s where your money will be going if the new bond is passed:

Safety and Security (27% of bond)

•    School entryways will be remodeled, ensuring a friendly lobby for our families, while providing limited access to our students and classrooms.
•    Enhanced security measures will be implemented in all schools. Cameras and ID monitoring will provide remote access for security purposes.
•    Pedestrian and vehicle traffic challenges will be addressed to create safe, more efficient environments for students and parents as they travel to and from the Kentwood facilities
•    Building-wide communications systems will be brought up to date.
•    Aging school buses will be gradually replaced, as need. The district currently has a fleet of 43 buses, but only 38 are operational. Bus purchases have been deferred for the last four years and has cost the District by doubling bus routes and maintenance expenses. If approved, bus replacements will begin during this school year.
•    Playgrounds will be updated to meet current safety standards.

Kentwood Public SchoolsTechnology (25% of bond)

•    Purchasing new computers and devices to replace outdated technology.
•    Upgrades to the District’s network infrastructure and modernizations at each school location to support and serve more wireless technology.
•    Remodeling media centers with technology updates.
•    The creation of flexible Collaboration Center spaces which will focus on state-of-the-art technology and large group instruction throughout the District.
•    Replacement of obsolete student technology devices. If approved, will begin during this school year.

Operational Efficiency and Building Renovations (48% of bond)

•    Plumbing, mechanical, electrical and building systems that require investment will be upgraded to extend their useful life and improve operational efficiency.
•    Aged doors and windows will be replaced where necessary to improve building efficiency.
•    Building finishes will be refreshed with new carpet, ceilings and other interior improvements, such as furniture.
•    Parking lots and paved areas will be improved and expanded as needed.
•    All elementary school media centers will be renovated, including new technology and furniture.
•    Collaborative, multi-purpose learning centers will be created in each school in order to support 21st century education practices.
•    A per-student allocation of funds for furniture upgrades and replacements for all elementary, middle school and high school students.
•    Meadowlawn Elementary renovations, including the addition of a gymnasium, that will bring it up to District-wide standard.
•    New community entrance for after-school and recreation programs (youth arts and athletics) will be built at Valleywood Middle School.
•    Locker room remodeling and upgrades will take place at Pinewood and Valleywood Middle Schools for use by students and community.
•    Fine arts classrooms at East Kentwood High School will be renovated.

Kentwood Public Schools BusThe previous bond came through on every project that was promised to the community and also did so under budget on 90% of the projects!

Three public information forums will be held at different locations leading up to the election on November 3rd. Those dates and locations are as follows:

•    Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Kentwood High School in the West Wing Commons
•    Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the KPS Main Office, 5820 Eastern Avenue
•    Thursday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Challenger Elementary

Specific building project listings and renderings for each school are on display at kentwoodps.org.

More information can be found on the Facebook pages for Kentwood Public Schools and Kentwood Friends for Education.