Here we grow again!

August 14, 2006

Growth Continues in the New Haven Schools with more plans for 2006-07. 

         At the November 8, 2006 State General Election, voters of the school district overwhelmingly supported the passage of a $51.5 million bond issue aimed at the construction of a new middle school, additional renovations to the district, and the acquisition of additional land.  As reported, it will not be necessary to raise the district’s current property tax rate to pay off the bond issue.  Instead, recent and expected growth of the district’s tax base will finance the payments.  The current district debt tax rate need only be extended two more years; from 28 to 30 years.

The successful passage will add a new Middle School and nearly 100 additional improvements to current schools, including major technology updates at all buildings.  A new bus garage will also be built and land for a future school will be purchased with bond proceeds. 

Once again this year, the district is experiencing an increase in its student enrollment.  Last year, our student population increased by over 130 students, with the majority of this increase being in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade.  We saw further increases throughout the 2005-06 school year.  The current enrollment is 1,435 students and we expect this growth to continue for at least a decade.

The School Board decision to hold the election endorsed a proposal made by a local Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) last year. The Board agreed with the citizens group that it would be more cost effective to construct a new school.  Otherwise, massive dollar amounts would be needed to upgrade the 83-year-old building to the education standards of neighboring school districts.  The overall design of the new, two-story middle school has already been selected.  Construction will begin in 2006 and the estimated date of opening of the building for students is Fall, 2008.  Currently, all middle school students attend the Siefert School on 26 Mile Road, near North Avenue.  A new school and bus garage will also be constructed on this same site.    

Funds from the Nov. 8 bond proposal will be used to renovate the historic middle school in New Haven into a community, education and administration center

“The new building is a great move forward for the New Haven area.  It’s the beginning of things to come that will be even bigger and better,” promised David Rayes, Principal of New Haven Middle School.  “I think this will be great after the community sees what we are building.” 

Denise Stier, another parent of elementary school children and member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, summed up her reaction to the new middle school in one word --“awesome.”  “We really need it, seeing how much development has gone on in areas like Macomb Township,” Stier said. 

“The new middle school building will make it much easier for students transitioning from our new elementary school which opened in 2004,” noted Lynda Holland, Principal of New Haven Elementary. “It will be exciting for elementary students to progress right on to middle school with all the new technology similar to what we have in the new elementary school.” 

Holland and Rayes agree that as the district grows, perceptions about it are changing. “There are more than 4,000 new homes planned in the near future,” Rayes said.  “When those homes go up, the people who move into them are excited about the schools and the school district.”

The district is in the process of completing more than 300 individual projects that were financed by a 2002 bond issue.  They include a new road from the high school complex on Gratiot exiting onto New Haven Road.  This will create a second exit from the site and will be completed this fall.

            The district recently completed the purchase of the land for the new middle school near the corner of 26-Mile Road and Indian Trail in Ray Township.  The Board of Education is currently working with our architects and construction managers on the site plan for buildings, fields, and utilities for this site.  We expect that we will be going out for bids on the Middle School and Bus Garage projects yet this fall.  We are also working with both Macomb and Ray Townships on the necessary agreements to bring sewer and water services to this site. 

It is very important that we monitor the residential growth in the district.  We know how long it takes to build a school.  We just need to make sure that the facilities are there when there is the need—no sooner and no later.

We also expect to add another $1,712,000 in projects if the Nov. 8 bond issue is approved.  Interest earnings on the bonds will finance these upgrades.  

Outline of Bond Financial Plans

The following projects are included in this request:

Project	Projected Cost
Construct New Middle School	$31,500,000
Acquire land for additional expansion	$5,000,000
Construct New Bus Garage and Maintenance Facility	$2,322,000
Renovations to High School	$5,000,000
Renovations to Middle School to become the Alternative Education, PreSchool, and Administrative Center	$6,700,000
Renovations to Siefert School	$1,800,000
Renovations to New Haven Elementary	$900,000
Total of all Construction and Renovations	$53,222,000

With the successful passage of this bond issue, we expect to do site design during the winter and start on the Middle School building in the Spring of 2006.  The district is evaluating land on 26-Mile Road, West of Indian Trail on which to build the new Middle School and Bus Garage. 

Specific Conceptual Building Improvements

Here are some of the planned improvement projects at each building:

Construction of the new Middle School and
Student Transportation & Maintenance Facility

   Design plans for Middle School and Transportation

New Haven Elementary School

• Additional shelving and storage within specified classrooms
• Relocation of a water line into the building

   Design Plan for NH Elementary

E. F. Siefert School

• Upgrades to lighting, finishes, and shelving in the front of the school. 
• Acoustical upgrades to improve sound in the gymnasium. 
• Replacement of sinks and drinking fountains in classrooms in the front of the building.
• New landscaping in the front of the building. 
• Installation of technology equipment (computer access, television, and technology issues) in all classrooms in the building. 

   Design Plan for Siefert School

New Haven High School

• Upgrades to landscaping, lighting, and signage at the Gratiot entrance. 
• Upgrades to parking in front and on the north side of the building. 
• Installation of technology equipment (computer access, telephone intercom, television, and in-school television distribution) to all classrooms in the building. 
• Classroom improvements, new painting, and new ceilings. 
• Science labs and Art Room - upgrades to shelving, lighting, plumbing, and lab tables. 
• Upgrade restrooms throughout the building - finishes, plumbing fixtures, lighting, etc.
• Cafeteria stage improvements - sound system, lighting system, refinish floor, refinish front of stage. 
• Refurbish existing facade of building (panels, coping, and flashing).  Upgrade of landscaping by Gratiot entrance, across the front of the building, and around the building.  Total exterior window replacement with energy efficient window systems. 
• Motorize bleachers in gymnasium. 
• Add bank of bleachers at the athletic field. 

   Design Plan for New Haven High School

Existing Middle School becomes Pre-School Center, Alternative Education, Community Services, and Administration Building

• Early Childhood/Pre-Kindergarten retrofit and renovation to the building.  Renovation to classrooms, rest rooms and support areas for students.  Secure outdoor play area. 
• Alternative Education.  Retrofit and renovation to the east end of the building.  Renovation and additions to classrooms, restrooms, and support areas for students. 
• Conversion of existing cafeteria into a Community Resource area. 
• Upgrades to gymnasium/state and locker rooms to provide for community events.  Plan with Village of New Haven for events and recreation. 
• Second and third floor renovations to provide a location for school district administrative and business office functions.  Provide space for additional district support services.  Accommodate location for Board of Education meeting area. 
• Upgrade and renovate landscaping across the front of the building. 
• New front parking for visitors. 
• New entry/lobby addition on the gymnasium side of the building for support of community events.  New restrooms and storage. 

   Design Plan for New Haven Community & Administrative Center

Additional land purchase

Acquiring land throughout the district has become a major concern for the district.  We need to be prepared to acquire additional land for additional school buildings as the development of land within the district, additional houses, additional students, and demands for additional programming becomes necessary.