Voters in the Suttons Bay Public School district will head to the polls on May 7 for a special election to vote on an $18.34 million bond proposal for facility improvements.
Suttons Bay School Superintendent Casey Petz said the bond proposal passage would allow the district to address issues related to “campus safety and security, energy utilization and management, replacement of boilers, and removal and replacement of infrastructure that is outdated, reached the end of its expected service life, or in a state of disrepair.”
“Specifically, the bond proposal seeks approval to tear down and replace the existing middle school gym on the north end of campus,” Petz said in an email. “This gym is used by students, staff, and our community nearly every day of the year and was identified by our facilities needs assessment as an area of concern if it is to continue to be used in the years ahead.”
If the proposal is passed, projects are expected to go into the design phase immediately after the May 7 election, and construction would take place between spring 2025 through fall 2028. Each building would have improvements to support the safety, longevity, efficiency, and well-being of students and staff.
In the elementary school, exterior doors and windows, select roof replacement, an enhanced drop-off loop, and sidewalk/stairs safety improvements will be made. At the middle school level, a secure vestibule for security, mechanical equipment and boiler upgrades, electrical improvements and controls, and the replacement of the gym and locker rooms are also listed as priorities. And finally, the high school will see mechanical equipment upgrades, boiler/electrical/ energy management system improvements.
A facilities assessment was completed in 2023 by Cornerstone Architects, Nealis Engineering, and Owen Ames Kimball thoroughly detailing the Suttons Bay campus. Two community forums in October were also held by the district for the public regarding its facilities where feedback was received on possible action steps forward.
The report details how although all facilities have undergone various stages of renovation throughout the years since first being constructed in the 1950s, recent enrollment numbers over the last decade imply that “an element of right sizing may need to be implemented in order to better reflect the needs of the school district and community.” The district utilizes two main buildings for the education of approximately 600 students, with the north building housing both the elementary and middle school, and the south building occupied by the high school.
The Village of Suttons Bay has undergone a transition in student population through recent years, with the engineering assessment noting how in the 2000 census, 21.8% of the 271 households (population 589) had children under the age of 18 living with them. In the 2010 census, there was a decrease with only 16.1% of the 271 households (population 618) having children under the age of 18. In the 2020 census, the population was 613, with the decrease in households with children again correlating to lower enrollment at the public schools.
Both the elementary and middle school are housed in the same extensive building, the north wing, which also includes an older 1950s constructed wing that is currently used for storage. The engineering assessment states that the condition and functionality of this older construction wing “appear to be in disrepair and underutilized” and that in its current condition, “the size of the elementary school may not reflect the anticipated school occupancy numbers.”
The demolition of the vacant old middle school north wing is listed under “other improvements” to be made, along with consolidation of softball and auxiliary fields, centralized restrooms and concessions, a relocated elementary playground, and a high school/elementary connector.
The current utilized classroom space of the elementary school appears to be in good condition though. The middle school building was deemed to appear in good adequate shape, and the high school is comparatively in good condition. The campus grounds, in particular the parking lots, athletic fields, and vehicular access, were found “to be disproportionate to the needs of the school — which can be costly in terms of maintenance.” As a consequence, the report said adjacency and efficiency may be negatively affected.
If the millage is approved, it’s expected to cost the average homeowner an additional $27.50 per year based on an expected 0.10 mill increase over 2023 levels. For more information about the bond proposal and to read the full facilities report, go to www.suttonsbayschools.com.
