FHPS Bond Proposal 2018

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money for capital expenditures by selling bonds. Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment, and technology. Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks. Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and must be audited by an independent auditing firm.

The last time FHPS voters approved a bond was in 2013 and the previous bond projects are nearing completion. The November 2018 bond proposal would fund projects for the next eight years, and would continue to preserve operating funds for student programming.

Educational design has evolved over the decades, but most of our learning spaces have not. Our classrooms have not seen major renovations since they were originally built, with our oldest school building originally constructed in 1954. Some schools need more improvements than others. A majority of this bond would be spent on transforming classrooms and learning environments for all students. Modern learning environments support more collaborative and interactive teaching and learning styles that prepare students for success beyond the classroom.

Yes. The district will use bond funds to continue our efforts to ensure buildings and sites are secure for students and staff. As safety and security measures evolve, it is important that we remain in the forefront of security. Over the summer, the district enhanced the secure entrances at all schools. These projects were funded by the voter-approved bond proposal in 2013.

FHPS operates 26 buildings, totaling more than two million square feet on over 650 acres. Within these facilities, FHPS educates nearly 10,000 students, operates the Community and Aquatic Center, the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, and provides programming for youth, adults, and senior citizens. The district is larger than 96 percent of public school districts in Michigan. Proposed bond projects were identified through extensive facility needs assessments and input from the district’s revenue task force. If approved, the majority of bond funds would be spent on transforming over 500 classrooms, and fund additional capital improvement projects over the next eight years.

No. If voters approve this bond proposal, there is expected to be no increase to taxpayers. This summer, the FHPS Board of Education approved a reduction of .70 mills in the tax rate to meet its required bond payments, which reduced the tax liability for our taxpayers. The district continues to demonstrate good stewardship and fiscal responsibility by retiring bonds as soon as possible. Forest Hills Public Schools holds an Aa2 rating with Moody’s Investors Service, one of the highest ratings held by public schools in Michigan, with strong financial management being a contributing factor.

The wording used in the ballot language is required by law. We are obligated to share the millage/tax rate that will be levied in the first year to make our required debt payment for the new bonds. In this case, the new bonds would require levying .45 mills to make the required debt payment. We are also sharing the new proposal’s impact to the total millage/tax rate that will be levied to make all required debt payments for the new and old bonds. With this bond proposal, the total mills needed to make the required debt payment for the new and old bonds is actually a decrease of .10 mills. Said differently, the net impact to tax payers is a reduction in the tax rate.

The current administration building was constructed in 1951 as an elementary school. The building has not had any major work in over 30 years. According to the school district’s architect, the integrity of the building is failing, and many building systems are far beyond their useful life cycle. The cost of replacing building components such as roofing, heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, and finishes is more expensive than a new building. In 2015  the district formed an Administration Task Force to determine future plans for the administration building. The task force was comprised of 10 community members and was led by GMB Architecture + Engineering. After reviewing data and options over multiple meetings, the task force recommended the construction of a new administration building on the Fine Arts Center Campus.

The district anticipates selling the property that houses the current administration building and using the proceeds to offset the cost of a new administration building. The cost of constructing the new administration building is expected to be less than 6% of the $130 million bond proposal.

If you have additional questions about the 2018 bond proposal for Forest Hills Public Schools, please call the FHPS administration office, 616-493-8800, or email your questions to us.

Forest Hills Public Schools Bonding Proposal

Shall Forest Hills Public Schools, Kent County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Thirty Million Dollars ($130,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: remodeling, equipping and re-equipping and furnishing and refurnishing school buildings; erecting, furnishing and equipping additions to school buildings; acquiring, installing and equipping or re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; erecting, furnishing and equipping a new administration building; purchasing school buses; and erecting, furnishing and equipping playgrounds, play fields, athletic fields, athletic facilities and sites?

The following is for informational purposes only: The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2019 is 0.45 mill ($0.45 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.10 mill net decrease over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is fifteen (15) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 1.99 mills ($1.99 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

(Pursuant to State 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.)

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