Vicksburg Community Schools is asking Kalamazoo County voters to approve a $64.1 million bond on the May 5 ballot to address aging facilities and improve safety across the district.
The proposal includes secure vestibules at school entrances, a new transportation center, an outdoor education facility, and an auxiliary gym for competitive cheer programs.
Superintendent Keevin O'Neill said the tennis courts have deep cracks after more than 20 years of use and present safety concerns. The current transportation center is located in the middle of the campus, creating traffic issues during pick-up and drop-off times.
"There's some safety concerns there," O'Neill said. "We need to start from scratch and build a new complex that will last this community for hopefully another 25 years."
The bond would levy 3.83 mills in 2026, replacing expiring mills so voters would not see a net increase in their tax rate. The average millage rate to retire the bond is 3.98 mills for up to 20 years.
Residents with a $200,000 home would pay an average of $398 per year toward the bond if approved.
The proposal focuses on three areas: safety and security, replacing aging infrastructure, and enhancing student learning and programming.
Additional projects include adding vestibules to building entrances, upgrading the performing arts center, and building an auxiliary gym so the district no longer rents facilities for cheer practices.
O'Neill, who successfully approved bond cycles in 2014 and 2020, remains cautiously optimistic about the proposal.
"I think the community recognizes strong schools, strong community," he said. "We want our students to have the best and this is a great opportunity to do that."
Voters can find more information about the proposed projects on the district website's bond page.