Doing More for Students While Saving $1.8 Million
At our January 26 Board meeting, we heard some phenomenal updates. The takeaways:
We’re repurposing Original Wacousta for some really cool projects
The Dave and Betty Morris Center is coming to life
Thanks to hard work, planning, and responsibility we saved taxpayers $1.8 million
Holbrook is already showing growth with a new reading and writing curriculum
GLPS is now finalizing plans to partner with non-profits and public entities to serve the community with space at original Wacousta. While, lease agreements are not final, we anticipate partnering with Grand Ledge Area District Library, Wacousta Cooperative Preschool, and a regional Career and Tech Ed Culinary Arts Program to make great use of this space.
We also know that Grand Ledge Robotics Club and Grand Ledge Archery Team are outgrowing their current spaces, so they will have room at the Original Wacousta as well. Check out these slides for more information.
Approximately 25 years ago, the Morris family gifted property to GLPS for an ag/tech building. Through the community support of the 2018 Bond, the district finally had the funding to bring this dream to life. You can see more information here. We are already planning for the building to be used on an almost daily basis, with advanced ag/bio science for our older students to full-day hands on science class trips for our younger students. The building is finally underway!
TAXPAYER SAVINGS OF $1.8 MILLION
The Board approved a bond sale that will result in a $1.8 million savings to taxpayers. Because of GLPS's fiscal responsibility, high credit rating, and hard work by our finance team we were able to get an extremely favorable rate that will result in $1.8 million in interest savings over the next 10 years. Hats off to our Central Administration for making this happen.
CONTINUED GROWTH AT HOLBROOK
If you're an elementary school parent, you've probably been hearing about ancient Rome, the middle ages, inventions, and more! That's because of our new CKLA English/Language Arts curriculum. As any adult who has had to learn a new system can attest, change is hard! (Who else hates it when Facebook moves stuff around to make an "improvement"?) We know it can be challenging to continue academic growth in the middle of implementation. But Holbrook is doing it!
Thank you for supporting public education. None of this happens without strong community support! #proudtobeacomet