A Record of Responsibility
Our current administration is fiscally responsible — the district has paid down prior debt bonds faster than projected, saving the community money on interest.
Our buildings have real repair needs, our district is growing, and these new proposals respond to those needs without increasing the current millage rate. After listening to community feedback following two unsuccessful bond attempts, the district is presenting two separate proposals for voters to consider.
I Support Both Proposals
I strongly support both of Allendale Public Schools’ new bond proposals. Voters will decide on each proposal separately, and I believe both are important to the safety, learning, and long-term success of our students and community.
Proposal One: Safety, Facilities, and Learning Spaces
Proposal One would improve existing facilities throughout the district. I appreciate its focus on:
- Career and technical education — new wood and metal shops, robotics, and STEM classrooms and labs at the high school
- Building needs — roofs, plumbing, mechanical systems, heating and cooling, lighting, technology infrastructure, parking lots, sidewalks, and drives
- Students and families — Early Childhood Center improvements, accessible playgrounds, and athletic-site upgrades
Proposal Two: A New Multi-Purpose Building
Proposal Two would create a stand-alone multi-purpose building for school and community use. It would add space for career-technical education, physical education, health and wellness, school sports and activities, a marching band classroom and practice field, and weight and fitness rooms. The community would also benefit from a walking track and space for community events, sports, and other uses.
Part of my personal rationale for supporting Proposal Two is how directly I can see these spaces being used. I have a student in marching band, and I have friends whose students are on the robotics team. This building would create well-used space for those extracurriculars and many others — spaces that would serve students day after day, not just sit empty on a blueprint.
Together, the proposals support a well-rounded education and help prepare students for in-demand careers, including the skilled trades. They also address the practical reality that Careerline Tech Center has a waiting list for students seeking these opportunities.
What I’ll Advocate For
- Transparency and accountability — public reporting, independent audits, and a public website tracking every dollar spent on voter-approved projects
- Fiscal discipline — supporting proposals that do not increase the current millage rate, while recognizing the district’s recent reduction of its debt millage by nearly two mills
- Long-term planning — facilities that serve students and the community for decades, not just the next few years
- Community engagement — continued listening and clear communication about how the proposals serve Allendale
The Bottom Line
A school bond isn’t just a financial instrument — it’s a statement of what a community values. I strongly support both of these proposals because they make necessary investments in safe schools, meaningful career preparation, and shared community spaces while maintaining the current millage rate. I look forward to writing more about the specific parts of the new bond plan that I appreciate.