The celebrating continues at Grand Rapids Public Schools today, following the successful passage of a $175 million bond. School officials say they’re pleased with the results and can now move forward.
“This was a huge and decisive victory for voters and for Superintendent Weatherall-Neal. The voters came out and united around GRPS and the transformation plan and they said yes by more than a thousand votes. “
GRPS Communications Director John Helmholdt says he credits the passage of the school improvement bond with leadership that works.
“This community absolutely believes in Superintendent Weatherall-Neal and this board of education.”
Helmholdt says voters are also behind their strategic direction of the district, noting the transformation plan has been their guidepost.
“And it’s produced results. Grad rates are up, enrollment is up, suspensions are down; we had the best count days in 20 years.”
The bulk of the bond dollars, about $155 million, will be used for facility improvements.
“All 52 schools will benefit from bond. The vast majority of construction and renovations will be (at the) high school level because they did not get touched with the 2004 bond, but it will also touch a number of middle and elementary schools that did not get any investment from the 2004 bond. So we’re going to stretch dollars for maximum impact.”
Helmholdt says about $10 million is slated to upgrade technology.
“We need the investments, our kids deserve it. We’ve got tech that’s 10 years old, laptops that take 20 minutes to warm up. This bond will make that happen.”
