Board of Education Authorizes 2024 TCAPS Capital Bond Proposal

Today, the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education authorized placing a 2024 capital bond proposal on the August 6, 2024 ballot. 

After an extensive information and data collection process involving the community, teachers, staff, students, and families, our board voted tonight to move forward with placing a capital bond proposal on the August 6, 2024 ballot,” said Scott Newman-Bale, president of the TCAPS Board of Education. “The proposal is to continue the current bond levy of 3.1 mills, which is 40% lower than the state average of 5.4 mills. This rate has been a long-standing commitment to the community, while tackling the major projects and upgrades necessary to provide safe and optimal learning environments for our students, including the reconstruction/renovation of Central Grade School, the school district’s oldest and largest elementary building, safety and security improvements, and facility improvements at all schools, like upgrades to boilers and heat pumps.”

Highlights of the TCAPS 2024 Capital Bond Proposal include:

• No Projected Increase Over Current Levy - Maintain Current 3.1 Mills

• Same Bond Millage Rate for the Last 26 Years

• 40% Lower than the State Average Bond Millage Rate of 5.4 Mills

• Responsible Management of $400 Million in Assets

Major proposed projects include:

• Elementary Renovation / Reconstruction (Central Grade School)

• Safety and Security Improvements

• Facility Improvements at All Schools

  • aging infrastructure upgrades, instructional enhancements (including Music and STEM), and improvements for ADA access

• Technology Upgrades

• Bus Replacements

Additional proposed capital project plan information includes:

• Approximately 35,000 Square Feet of Learning Space Enhancements

• Up to 9 Roof Replacements

  • Approximately 800,000 square feet of coverage across school district facilities

• Facility Improvements Across the School District (estimated)

  • 26 boilers

  • 260 heat pumps 

  • 5 playground drainage upgrades

  • 6 building bleacher replacements with ADA upgrades 

  • 13 site improvements to driveways, curbs, sidewalks, and parking lots 

The vote follows a comprehensive pre-bond planning process, which included the collection of data and information from district-wide programming assessments, facility condition assessments, and outreach surveys to students, staff, parents, and the community. 

“We look forward to continuing to connect with the community regarding our capital project plans for our schools and facilities for the coming years and to sharing information about the capital bond proposal. This proposal includes a lot of nuts and bolts projects, which may not always be the most glamorous, but are needed to provide safe and optimal learning environments for our students, staff, and community members,” said Dr. John VanWagoner, superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools. “Developing a facilities plan based on a professional needs assessment, which was further enhanced by the direct community and facility user group feedback, was a strategic plan goal for the district and a key component of our efforts to ensure students have the facilities and tools they need to be successful.”

Following the vote, the school district will prepare and share additional information about the proposal with families, staff, and the community. 

Bond information and updates can be found at: www.tcaps.net/bond. 

TCAPS Board of Education meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are available at: www.tcaps.net/board.