Multiple districts — While voters on Tuesday defeated a $230 million bond proposal in Rockford Public Schools — the largest request on Kent County ballots — they approved bond requests and millage renewals in Byron Center, East Grand Rapids, Godwin Heights, Grandville and Wyoming.
Impacting all districts Kent ISD-wide, voters also decisively approved the regional enhancement millage restoration and renewal, which provides funds for all 20 districts.
Rockford’s request for a $230 million bond proposal failed 7,533 to 5,298, according to Kent County unofficial election results. The bond would have been used to address facility needs, including air conditioning and new playgrounds, and to fund performing arts center renovations and the construction of a new indoor athletic complex.
“It did not pass, and it did not pass rather convincingly, so that was disappointing,” said Rockford Superintendent Steve Matthews.
Though the proposal would have maintained the district’s current millage rate, Matthews said there was clearly something about the bond that didn’t resonate with voters.
“We’re going to have to have some additional conversations with people about what it was about the proposal that they didn’t support, and then look at options and try to figure out how to move forward,” he said.
Matthews said there was a sense among voters that some of the improvements could have been funded through other means, though he said that’s not really an option. A sinking fund, for example, wouldn’t have generated enough revenue in a timely fashion, nor are there free dollars in the district’s general fund to complete the projects outlined in the proposal, he said.
‘Right now, the sting of the defeat, it kind of hurts, and it’s hard to wrap your mind around what went wrong.’
— Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Steve Matthews
The district needs to make sure it’s educating people about how public school funding works, he said.
“But having said that, the community was very clear about the proposal, and we need to … identify what it was about the proposal that didn’t generate support,” Matthews said.
Rockford has no plans to bring another proposal before voters anytime soon, the superintendent said, and the improvements outlined in the failed bond will have to be put on indefinite hold. But the district will process the loss and seek to learn from it.
“Right now, the sting of the defeat, it kind of hurts, and it’s hard to wrap your mind around what went wrong,” Matthews said. “But we will figure it out, because it’s important for our school district to have facilities that we can maintain and that are good learning environments for kids.”
Other District Results
Elsewhere in Kent County, voters in Byron Center, East Grand Rapids, Godwin Heights, Grandville and Wyoming approved crucial millages and bond proposals for their districts.
All vote totals are unofficial results from the Kent County Clerk’s office and, in Grandville’s case, the Ottawa County Clerk’s office.
Byron Center Public Schools
Requested: A $110 million bond proposal for district-wide improvements addressing academics, arts, athletics and facility updates and repairs.
Voters said: YES, 4,381; No, 3,339
Thanks to voter approval, the district will use this to address capacity needs in academic spaces, arts programs and athletic facilities, as well as in infrastructure, technology and bussing. The bond will not increase the tax rate for property owners.
Funds will be used for a new athletic stadium and four new baseball/softball fields at the West Athletic Complex, as well as renovated classrooms, updated technology, and renovations to fine arts wings at West Middle School and the high school.
“This is more than a ‘yes’ vote; it’s a vote of confidence in our students, our staff and our shared vision for the future of BCPS,” Superintendent Kevin Macina said.
Projects will be completed in two phases, with construction scheduled around ongoing district activities.
“Our community has shown once again that Byron Center values education and believes in the potential of every child,” Macina said. “We don’t take that support for granted, and it is our commitment to be good stewards of these resources as we move forward.”
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Requested: A 0.5-mill sinking fund to replace East’s soon-to-expire millage and allow the district to take advantage of new uses for sinking fund revenue.
Voters said: YES, 2,281; No, 844
With resounding support from voters, East’s sinking fund millage was approved as a dedicated funding source for facility and maintenance needs, said Anthony Morey, assistant superintendent of finance and operations. The approval will also allow the district to use the funding for security infrastructure, transportation vehicles and instructional technology, which wouldn’t have been possible with a simple renewal of the current fund.
The sinking fund approval will also indirectly preserve the district’s general fund for the next 10 years, Morey said: “If you don’t have a sinking fund, you have to take resources away from the classrooms to support the care and maintenance of buildings.”
Morey said the district is deeply grateful to the community for its support.
“They continue to demonstrate that they support public education with their votes and their commitment of tax resources to the cause,” he said.
Godwin Heights Public Schools
Requested: A $44 million bond issue for updated learning spaces, improved safety and security, and other district-wide projects.
Voters said: YES, 760; No, 361
Godwin Heights voters approved a $44.5 million request that will bring improvements to the district’s five school buildings, including classroom upgrades, bathroom renovations, electrical and mechanical upgrades, and technology, in addition to specific facility needs.
Approval comes with no tax rate increase over current rates.
Superintendent Chad Conklin said the board and entire district appreciates the community’s continued support and investment in the students.
“Thanks to the support of the Godwin Heights community, we will be able to prioritize safety and security across our district while enhancing and modernizing learning spaces for every student,” Conklin said. “This bond represents more than just improvements to our facilities — it’s an investment in opportunity, innovation and the long-term success of the Godwin Heights community.
“We are deeply thankful for your partnership and trust as we work together to create the best possible learning environment for all Godwin Heights students.”
Grandville Public Schools
Requested: A renewal of the district’s operating millage, which would generate about $18.1 million for day-to-day operations, including staffing and academic programs.
Voters said: YES, 5,186 (4,744 in Kent County and 442 in Ottawa County); No, 2,578 (2,163 in Kent and 415 in Ottawa)
Requested: Restoration and renewal of a sinking fund millage, beginning in 2027, which would generate about $3.38 million to pay for certain capital improvements.
Voters said: YES, 4,335 (3,977 in Kent County and 358 in Ottawa County); No, 3,434 (2,935 in Kent and 499 in Ottawa)
Superintendent Roger Bearup told SNN the district’s priorities for the sinking fund include purchasing safer, more efficient buses; updating student devices and classroom technology; and facility repairs including HVAC, parking lots and roofs.
In a letter to the Grandville community Wednesday, Bearup thanked voters for their trust and continued support of the district.
“You have once again demonstrated that you value the strong partnership we share and the bright future of the youth in our wonderful community,” he said. “As your superintendent, I assure you that the funds you have entrusted to us will be used responsibly to continue making our district one you can be proud of — one that remains committed to educating and caring for the students and adults within our hometown.”
Wyoming Public Schools
Requested: A $29.75 million bond issue for a new elementary gymnasium, improved safety and security, and other district-wide projects.
Voters said: YES, 2,433; No 1,587
Requested: A sinking fund millage proposal for ongoing facility repairs and upgrades.
Voters said: YES, 2,461 ; No, 1,556
Wyoming voters approved two district proposals: a $29.75 million bond proposal to fund district-wide renovations, upgrades and rebuilds; and a sinking fund request that will allow the district to continue to have dollars earmarked for ongoing maintenance projects and other needs.
“I am very appreciative,” said Superintendent Craig Hoekstra. “Throughout this entire process, our goal was to educate and help our community understand the proposals and how they would positively affect teaching, learning, and opportunities for our scholars.”
The bond will allow the district to finish its facilities master plan, work that has spanned the past eight years and two previous bond issues.
“With the community support, this long, well-worth journey has allowed us to make the updates that our community deserves,” Hoekstra said. “All of this is for our kids and their future, for them to have opportunities to have the best experience possible with us and when they get out into the world after being with us.”
Projects will include the addition of a new gymnasium at Gladiola Elementary, enhanced safety and security measures, upgraded classrooms at the Secondary Learning Academy, updated technology and fully air-conditioned learning environments. Also planned are athletic facility improvements and community accessible spaces for events and activities.
The bond results in a reduced millage rate, from 5.65 mills to 5.50 mills, starting with the summer 2026 levy.
The sinking fund will replace the sinking fund approved in 2015 while maintaining the current millage rate. Among other projects, the fund will cover roof repairs, maintenance, parking lot repair maintenance, lighting upgrades and window repairs and replacements.
Reporters Joanne Bailey-Boorsma, Beth Heinen Bell, Riley Kelley and Alexis Stark contributed to this story.
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