Oak Park, Glenn Loomis Likely Focus of Next TCAPS Bond

With its current $180 million capital bond from 2024 now completely allocated for projects, Traverse City Area Public Schools is looking at its next bond proposal. Trustees had their first in-depth discussion Monday about what the proposal – which could go to voters as soon as 2028 – would look like, including future new uses for the Glenn Loomis and Oak Park schools.

TCAPS Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Christine Thomas-Hill walked trustees through the history and status of the 2024 bond as a kickoff to planning the district’s next proposal. After assessing all district buildings in 2023, TCAPS identified roughly $254 million in needed improvements. Those were broken into four categories, ranked as priorities 1, 2, and 3 – reflecting their urgency – as well as an “undefined” category that covered programming upgrades that weren’t critical infrastructure needs.

Because TCAPS has maintained the same millage rate for over 25 years – 3.1 mills – the district knew the 2024 bond proposal would only cover $180 million in improvements. “We knew that new bond wouldn’t be able to fund all of this work, but we had to start somewhere,” Thomas-Hill said. The 2024 bond has covered several major ticket items, like the reconstruction of Central Grade School and upcoming reconstruction of Central High School. Other projects have included renovations at Traverse Heights, renovations and a new roof at Sabin, West High School restroom and circulation upgrades, middle school music room renovations, and upcoming projects that include a new roof at Traverse City High School and Long Lake renovations.

Bond funds have also covered a wide range of other annual expenses, including technology, transportation, athletic, and safety and security upgrades. All schools now have secure entrance vestibules except Central High, with that school to be addressed during its reconstruction. TCAPS also partnered with Trane on a $36.3 million contract to complete extensive lighting, plumbing, HVAC, and building envelope upgrades across the district.

That partnership is a performance contract, meaning Trane has guaranteed savings to TCAPS related to the energy improvements. If those savings don’t materialize, Trane will “write a check” to the district, Thomas-Hill said. While the construction costs are covered by the capital bonds, the savings will be realized in the district’s general fund since that’s where utility pills are paid from, she noted. In total, the $180 million bond is now fully spent or budgeted for, Thomas-Hill said. Final bond sales are planned in 2027 and 2029, with all priority 1 projects planned to be addressed, according to Thomas-Hill.

That still leaves many projects left undone, however – ranging from new roofs to playground upgrades to safety and security improvements – along with emerging new needs. Board members Monday supported undertaking an updated assessment of district buildings. That wouldn’t be as extensive as the 2023 review, Thomas-Hill said, but would update that report to reflect work completed and improvements still needed.  Student, teacher, and community input would also shape the project list.

Two buildings that will likely require more intensive scrutiny are Oak Park and Glenn Loomis. Both buildings could be reenvisioned for new uses in the coming decade, along with accompanying improvements. Glenn Loomis will be vacant once Central Grade students move back to their newly reconstructed school in 2029. Meanwhile, Northwest Education Services will be leaving Oak Park for a new facility next to the BATA headquarters on Hammond Road, staff said.

One leading option is to consolidate early childcare programs at one or both buildings. Thomas-Hill said that in addition to numerous TCAPS programs that provide childcare or early education, the district partners with entities like Munson, SEEDS, and Teddy Bear Daycare for those groups to use TCAPS buildings. Having all those programs under one roof instead of spread out across multiple sites could make licensing significantly easier and free up classrooms for other educational uses, Thomas-Hill said.

Trustee Beth Pack pointed out it will be a “community question” whether it’s preferable to take a consolidated childcare approach or have options available at a variety of buildings for geographic reasons. Staff said it could be a blend of options, or TCAPS could have both east and west-side offerings. TCAPS Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner noted the district’s east side is growing significantly with numerous housing projects coming online in Garfield and East Bay townships. A building like Oak Park could also serve as an accessory elementary school – either lower or upper – to growing schools like Eastern, Cherry Knoll, or Traverse Heights, he said.

Staff said there will be numerous community input sessions ahead to shape a new bond proposal, including gathering feedback on the future of Oak Park and Glenn Loomis. Thomas-Hill said staff’s recommendation will be to keep the millage rate at 3.1 mills, which remains significantly below the state average of 5.4 mills. “I think the community trusts us to have that low millage rate,” she said. TCAPS doesn’t go out for bond requests in odd-numbered years because it’d have to pay special election costs, so the district’s next ask could come as soon as 2028.

In addition to focusing on projects that keep students “safe, warm, and dry,” in Thomas-Hill’s words, looking at educational and curriculum trends will be key to ensure classes are adapting to modern needs. Trustee Scott Hardy pointed out that TCAPS is looking at an expanded school year – which could include more summer programming and/or an expanded academic year for students who need it – which could affect capital planning, such as needing air conditioning in more buildings. Those types of educational needs, along with community input, will help drive the bond process, trustees agreed.

“We’re still focused on academics. That’s our primary focus within TCAPS,” Hardy said. “The buildings follow behind that.”