In May of 2019 district stakeholders approved a $39 million bond to fund capital improvements and security upgrades at each of the district's buildings. These funds will be used to address critical building needs such as upgrading heating and cooling equipment, replacing roofs and replacing parking lots and sidewalks. Additionally, the bond will provide funds to increase the safety and security at each building.

A Steering Committee has been created to inform and guide the bond projects as well as the timeline. To this end, the Steering Committee is currently in the planning stages for several of the projects. As part of this planning, the Board of Education approved a contract for topographic surveys of our facilities. These surveys are necessary for the purpose of site planning, design, and creating construction documents for modifications and improvements to service drives, parking lots, and site gradings. This will allow the district and its contractors to be better prepared as work begins on the various projects.

Representatives from the district’s construction management and architectural firms have visited each building in the district and the architectural firm is working on designs for the secure entrances that will be completed during the summer of 2020. These secure entrances will lead directly into the school’s main office to ensure that all visitors are checking in before accessing the building. 

While many of the large bond projects will not commence until the summer of 2020, there are several smaller projects that are expected to take place over the course of the school year. One of the first projects that will be completed is the replacement of the Howell High School fieldhouse boiler. This boiler is well past its useful life and a complete failure of the system is imminent. Another project that is expected to be completed during the school year is a new interior door access system. This system will replace all interior door locks with an electronic system that will allow for a building to be placed into a complete lockdown with the push of a button. 

Also included in the bond was the replacement of 21 buses with two of the buses being smaller passenger vans to accommodate small groups and athletic teams. By utilizing these smaller vehicles for groups, the district will see a reduction in fuel costs by not having to use a full-size bus. The Board of Education approved the purchase of these two vehicles at its July meeting. The remaining 19 buses will be purchased in stages as our current busses need to be replaced.

As the bond planning moves forward and the project timelines are finalized, we will provide updates on the district’s website, Facebook page, building newsletters and in MacGregor’s Message.

Paid for by Howell Public Schools, 411 N. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843