School Bond Proposal Aims to Modernize Kentwood Facilities as District Grows

KENTWOOD, Mich. — Kentwood Public Schools will ask voters to approve a $125.33 million bond measure on May 5. The proposal would fund major projects including a new Valleywood Middle School, restoration of the ice arena, and a second performing arts center at the East Kentwood High School campus.

The district faces growing enrollment pressure with an increase of 800 students over the last 10 years. Superintendent Kevin Polston told School News Network that the bond response addresses this growth.

What the Bond Would Fund

The $125.33 million bond would generate funds for:

• A new Valleywood Middle School to replace the 1967 building
• Restoration of the Kentwood Ice Arena
• A second performing arts center at East Kentwood High School
• A Career Tech Education and STEM Center at the Freshman Campus
• Six new accessible playgrounds at elementary schools
• District-wide safety and security improvements
• Technology upgrades and devices
• Modernized furniture and additional school buses

Valleywood Middle School Principal Jenin Shamali explained the current facility was built in 1967 and has not seen major renovations since. The new building would have capacity for 750 students, up from the 552 enrolled this year.

Shamali said the building currently limits instructional practices. She noted that 20 classrooms lack natural light with narrow hallways and lower ceilings.

"The decision to build new rather than renovate was made after a study of facilities found that Valleywood would need $30 million in infrastructure investment," Polston said.

When asked if the district should remodel or reimagine the middle school, 95 percent of respondents said it was time to reimagine.

Cost to Homeowners

Passing the bond would result in a 0.5 mill increase, bringing the district's debt rate to 4.5 mills. This maintains the second-lowest rate among school districts in the county.

Owners of an average Kentwood home valued at $321,000 would see a monthly tax increase of $6.68 per month.

Misty McKnight, whose son Emmanuel attends Valleywood Middle School, said the cost is manageable.

"These students are our future leaders, educators, workforce and potential neighbors in the future. So really need to invest in our students here," McKnight said.

Polston said he expects enrollment growth to continue as Kentwood has become known as a destination district. More than 1,000 units of new housing are planned for construction in the district.

Timeline for Projects

If approved, construction would begin on the middle school in 2028, with the building opening in 2030. The district says the slate of projects would begin in 2028 and end in 2032.

Community Input

The district determined the projects following multiple rounds of stakeholder input last fall. The process came after the opening of Hamilton Elementary and an extensive elementary redistricting process.

The top question that came up during input was what would happen about middle school. Polston said the nearly 10,000-student district has increased by 800 students over the past 10 years.

Ice Arena and Performing Arts Center

The bond would fund significant improvements to the Kentwood Ice Arena, which is home to the Falcons ice hockey team and many community programs. The district says it is the only ice area in West Michigan owned and operated by a school district.

Proposed improvements include:

• New roof coating
• New mechanical room and equipment for code compliance
• Complete electrical system upgrade
• New rink refrigeration system
• Exterior doors and enhanced security with cameras and card-reader access

Students and families indicated through an extracentric survey and focus groups that they value the Kentwood Ice Arena.

A second performing arts center at the East Kentwood Freshman Campus would bring a second fine arts center to the campus. It would have capacity for 600 seats and would be used district-wide.

There is also inadequate space for instrument storage at the Kentwood Fine Arts Auditorium. Polston said for a district of 10,000 students to have one fine arts space just was not meeting needs.

Additional Projects

The bond would fund accessible playgrounds at Bowen, Brookwood, Discovery, Endeavor, Explorer and Meadowlawn elementary schools.

District-wide safety improvements include upgrades throughout buildings, technology enhancements and devices, modernized furniture and additional new buses.

The proposal will be on the May 5 special election ballots for voters within the Kentwood district.