Northview — Northview Public Schools is asking voters May 6 to consider a bond proposal of $74.6 million to fund improvements and renovations at every site in the district.
Approval of the bond, which comes with no expected tax rate increase, will allow the district to update learning spaces for today’s needs and address facility issues while protecting its general fund for instructional use. Projects would include new classrooms to replace aging portable buildings, upgraded HVAC systems, creating dedicated elementary gymnasiums, athletic stadium upgrades, expanded fine arts spaces, and redesigning underused classrooms to serve new purposes.
The district is able to request this bond without raising rates for taxpayers because it has paid down existing debt, according to Julie Bylsma, director of finance and operations.
“We currently levy (a millage rate of) 6.308 of debt to all of our constituents, and we have been paying down on that debt for a number of years now,” Bylsma said. “Come July 1, when the new tax bills go out … if we keep it level at 6.308, we can take on more debt and still charge them the same amount of mills. Their taxes could still go up if the taxable value of their house goes up, but from a taxing standpoint, we’re not asking for a higher tax rate.”
‘We really want to revitalize these spaces that we already have, but aren’t using, and make them useful … to reach our learners in a hands-on way.’
— Superintendent Christina Hinds
Superintendent Christina Hinds said the scope of projects included in the bond proposal came together thanks to feedback they received from a community-wide survey; three community forums; 19 meetings with students, staff and parents; and third-party assessments of the district’s building and grounds.
“It’s quite an opportunity for our students to share what they’re interested in, for our families and our community members to share their experiences, and to put that together with what’s projected to be a need for our schools in the future,” Hinds said. “We got to dream — ‘What do we want Northview to be?’ — and then get real with what we can really do with this amount of money.”
Projects to Improve Accessibility, Classroom Function
A major project at each of the district’s elementary schools would create separate gymnasium and cafeteria spaces, allowing for greater scheduling flexibility. At East Oakview and West Oakview elementaries, the building would receive a gymnasium addition and cafeteria renovation, while North Oakview would get a cafeteria addition and gymnasium renovation.
One classroom would also be added at East Oakview to replace the Field School’s old portable classroom.
“Right now, with our cafeteria and gyms being one and the same, all physical activity is shut down for two hours (during lunch), which is quite unfortunate,” Hinds said. “This allows that shortage of space to be renovated and split and used for more things. When the cafeteria is not in use, you can take multiple classes into this large space and work together. … You just have more space for more programming.”
Projects at other buildings include plans to reimagine underutilized spaces to create lab space and classrooms designed for collaboration. At Crossroads Middle School, a large room that once held its wood shop would be transformed into an “innovation lab” for hands-on learning, while at Northview High School, similar mostly-empty classrooms would be redesigned to create a multipurpose lab for career and technical education.
Similarly at Northview Next Career Center, the bond would fund the addition of a new building to replace the campus’ two aging portables. This new career training center would provide ample space for hands-on building and trades work, and could also make it possible for Northview High classes to visit and work with the equipment.
Hinds said student input and changing learning styles played a big role in the proposed redesign of these spaces.
“What we heard from students is that they want more problem-solving, more hands-on, more ‘let me do something rather than just sit and take a test,’” she said. “And one of our principles is (being) future-focused. … How do we give our students all the career and tech opportunities we can to be ready for high school and then college or the workplace?
“So, we really want to revitalize these spaces that we already have, but aren’t using, and make them useful … to reach our learners in a hands-on way. It’s very exciting to have that opportunity.”
Accessibility upgrades throughout the district are also significant to this bond request, Hinds said. Although facilities are up to code, she said they heard from both students and community members that access could be significantly improved at school buildings, athletic facilities and even playgrounds.
Since then, the district worked with Disability Advocates of Kent County to do a full disability site assessment and put together a list of accessibility projects that would be funded by this bond.
“If we truly believe that ‘all’ means all, then that means everyone in our community is comfortable visiting and enjoying our facilities,” the superintendent said. “This is near and dear to my heart, that we place such importance on the accessibility to our campus.”
Years to Complete
If voters on May 6 approve this bond, Hinds said the work of designing floor plans and working with contractors to draw up schematics will begin immediately.
“We don’t have specific plans already constructed; we’re not taking (approval) for granted,” she said. “We cherish our voters; even though we know we’ve always had our community’s support and their partnership, it’s never something we take for granted. But if they say yes, it will be amazing.”
If the request is approved, Hinds anticipates physical work in buildings to begin in 2026. The projects will be staggered throughout the district and it will likely take three to four years to complete everything on the list. A full list of proposed projects to be funded by this bond can be found on the district’s bond information website, along with other information and frequently asked questions.
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