A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Zeeland Community,

As your superintendent, I want to thank you for taking the time to learn about the 2025 Zeeland Public Schools bond proposal. This plan was built with input from our staff, families, and community, and is focused on creating safe, functional, and inspiring spaces for our students now and in the years ahead. 

If you have questions or would like to talk through the details, please reach out—I’d be glad to connect.

Rodney Hetherton, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Zeeland Public Schools

On November 4th, we will ask the community to renew the current millage rate, which would bring in an additional $186 million in three stages from 2027 through 2035.

Major Projects include the following:

• Significant renovations for Creekside Middle School

• Extensive update for all elementary playgrounds

• Aesthetic and technology updates for both DeWitt Auditorium (ZEHS) and Lokers Auditorium (Cityside)

• Update and refresh Zeeland Stadium

• New classrooms for ZWHS, including spaces for Robotics and the new Public Safety course

• Zeeland Activity Center

• New, updated spaces for Transportation and Maintenance

  
  

In addition to the major projects that impact our school buildings described above, the 2025 bond would also include the following:

• Building updates focused on classrooms and infrastructure

• Technology equipment (WiFi, cameras, firewall, phone system, copiers)

• School buses

• Equipment for Tech. Ed. classes and instruments for Performing Arts

• Parking improvements at Roosevelt and Zeeland Quest

• New scoreboards for the stadium, the natatorium, and both high school gyms

Projects from the Previous Bond

The last bond was significantly impacted by rising costs and delays following COVID-19. Even with those challenges, many important projects were completed, including:

• New wing at Adams Elementary 

• High school weight rooms

• Cityside Middle School – updated science and art rooms, plus a new gym mezzanine

• Elementary art rooms – improvements across all elementary buildings

• Central Office addition

• Mechanical, technology, and infrastructure upgrades throughout the district

2021 Bond Projects Still in Progress

Several projects from the 2021 bond are underway and scheduled to open in the coming years:

• Soccer, Lacrosse, and Tennis Complex – opening spring 2026

• Community Track (behind Creekside) – opening spring 2026

• New dressing rooms and backstage spaces at DeWitt Auditorium (ZEHS) – opening fall 2026

• Career-Based Learning Classrooms at ZEHS – opening fall 2027
  (Computer Science, Engineering, Medical Sciences, and Teacher Academy)

• These projects represent a significant investment in our students and community, and they’ll keep our construction team and local contractors busy over the next few years.

Think of a school bond like a mortgage for a home. The district sells bonds to the public, and that money is used for important projects like building new schools or updating existing spaces. Just like a mortgage, the district pays the money back over time with taxes collected from the community.

How Bonds Work at Zeeland

Over the years, Zeeland Public Schools has been able to “renew the mortgage” as older bond payments finish. This has allowed us to fund new projects without raising the tax rate for Zeeland families.

Why Bonds are Issued in Series

School bonds are usually divided into several parts, or “series.” This approach helps by:

• Grouping similar projects together

• Borrowing only when money is needed, which saves on interest

• Matching the pace of construction, since there aren’t enough contractors to do everything at once

What Bonds Can Pay For

Bond funds can only be used for things that benefit students long-term, such as:

• School buildings and renovations

• Infrastructure like heating, cooling, and roofs

• Technology for learning

• Buses and other equipment

Bond money cannot be used for salaries or day-to-day operating expenses.

Ever wondered how your tax dollars directly support students at Zeeland Public Schools? 

These quick, 1-minute videos explain how bonds, millages, and community investments create opportunities for students and help build a stronger future. 

Take a minute to learn how it all works and why it matters for our schools. Thank you for your support!

School Finance for You - How your taxes support education - Taxpayers pay income, sales, and property taxes to support education. Anyone who buys or sells real estate or purchases a lottery ticket also supports education. Reviews how taxes support the School Aid Fund, including the 6 mill state education tax, non-homestead property 18 mill non-principal residence tax, 2% of the 6% sales tax, and 60% of the remaining 4%, the 23.88% of gross income tax collections, all revenue generated from 6% of real estate transfer tax, and net profits from the state lottery program. Millages levied by Ottawa Area ISD to benefit districts and local school district millage proposals (bond and sinking fund) are reviewed. Explains how bonds work to pay for projects, differentiating between how a millage and sinking fund work to fund school projects and impact revenue.

School Funding for You - Ever wonder how public school districts in Michigan are funded? Proposal A and the State-based model, 6-mill State education tax on properties, State School Aid Fund, and the per pupil allocation (the foundation allowance). Bond millage requests and sinking millage requests and how they are used by local school districts.

School Finance for You - How Schools Spend their Resources - How schools spend their resources. Directly supporting students is the priority of K-12 students.