2025 Bond Project

cheering students, students in class, students graduating

August 2026 Update

-The planning for the addition at Ross Beatty is entering the final stages before the district solicits bids from qualified contractors. Multiple teams of educators have been meeting with architects, engineers, and design experts for a year.

-Bids will be opened in November 2026. Interested contractors should contact GDK Construction.

-The middle school addition is the largest project in this bond. Construction is planned to begin in the summer of 2027 and continue through the early fall of 2029. We hope to open the new classrooms to middle school students in the fall of 2029.

-Additionally, a new auxiliary gymnasium has been included in the project plans along with improvements to the Ross Beatty kitchen and some of the existing restrooms.

-Work is progressing on phase 1 for the Ross Beatty kitchen with the addition of a new walk-in cooler and freezer.

-Pictures below show the playground equipment installation as well as the sand grading for the new walkway that will improve the accessibility of the playground. The playground improvements should wrap up in August.

A partially excavated playground area with equipment parts and dirt around.

A construction site with sand and machinery near a building.

Workers installing poles in a construction area beside a school.

Construction has begun on the kitchen updates for the new middle school
Updates at the elementary playground have begun
Successful completion of the sale of $7.9 million in bonds which is the first phase of funding for bond-related projects.
Land surveys have been completed as the first step to design and construction planning.
We've hired architects, engineers, and a construction manager for the addition and renovations at Ross Beatty High School.
The design process is underway and a tentative schedule is in place for the Ross Beatty Project:
- Design work continues through November 2026
- Bidding is expected in late 2026 or early 2027
- Construction is planned to begin in late summer 2027

Construction Orientation Meeting May 4, 2026

Middle School Addition Project Update

Planning is moving quickly on the Middle School addition at Ross Beatty High School, a key project included in the 2025 Bond Proposal. This addition will support the future relocation of middle school students and represents an important investment in our facilities and educational environment.

As part of our commitment to community involvement, we aim to engage as many local contractors as possible throughout the construction process. To support this effort, our architects will host a contractor orientation meeting on Monday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center. Local contractors interested in bidding on any aspect of this project are encouraged to attend. Please help spread the word to any contractors who may wish to participate.

Project Update September 2025

Planning and early implementation efforts have begun for the bond proposal approved by voters on May 6th. Over the past few months, significant planning has taken place to lay the groundwork for upcoming improvements.

Graph showing Cassopolis in the top 11% of Michigan School districts

Cassopolis Public Schools received an AA- credit rating from Standard & Poor's. This places us in the top 11% of rated districts statewide.

This strong rating helps reduce borrowing costs and reflects the financial strength of our district and community.

May 6, 2025

Letter from Superintendent

Dear Cassopolis Community,

From all of us at Cassopolis Public Schools, thank you.

We deeply appreciate your support in approving the $42,195,000 bond issue on May 6th. This is more than just an investment in buildings—it's a powerful statement of trust in our students, our educators, and the future of our community.

Because of your belief in our schools, we will be able to make vital improvements without increasing the millage rate. That means safer, more modern learning environments for our kids, and the resources our teachers and staff need to continue doing their dedicated work.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our mission, and for helping us build a brighter future—together.

With sincere appreciation,

Mr. Jim English Dr. John Ritzler
Director of Finance Superintendent

Bond Proposal Overview

At the May 6, 2025 election, Cassopolis Public Schools voters will have the opportunity to consider a bond proposal. If approved, this bond proposal would authorize the district to borrow $42,195,000 for improvements and would result in a zero mill increase over the 2024 debt levy.

If your organization is interested in scheduling a 15 minute presentation about the Bond with Dr. Ritzler, please call our administrative office at 269 445 0503.

Cassopolis currently levies the 3rd lowest bond millage rate when compared to our neighbors for funding school facility improvements. This bond proposal is NOT expected to increase this rate.

Bond Proposal Project List

Building Specific Project Lists

High School & Middle School

Building Addition to the High School

Construct additional classrooms to facilitate relocating the Middle School students
High School and Middle School Students to have their own Spaces

Construct Secure Entrance Addition at the High School

Career Technical and Agricultural Science Renovations

Auxiliary gym addition at the High School

Kitchen & Servery Remodel at the High School

Restroom Remodel

Chiller Replacement

New Building Management System to improve Heating & Cooling

Instructional Technology

Security Improvements

Sam Adams Elementary

Extracurricular Improvements

General Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is a bond proposal and how can funds from a bond be spent?

A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its voters to consider authorizing the district to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures.
Voter-approved bond funds can be spent on new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, [instructional technology], furnishings, equipment, and other capital needs.
Funds raised through the sale of bonds cannot be used on operational expenses such as employee salaries and benefits, school supplies, and textbooks.
Bond funds must be kept separate from operating funds and expenditures must be audited by an independent auditing firm.

How would the bond proposal impact property taxes?

Who was involved in determining what to include in the bond proposal?

The District facilitated a staff survey to gain their perspectives and provide feedback into areas of potential improvement.
In March 2024, the District asked voters living within the school district to be part of a Long-Term Facilities Visioning Committee.
Community members who volunteered to be part of the Long-Term facilities Visioning Committee met five times over the course of eight months with district leaders to evaluate opportunities across the district, provide feedback, and make a recommendation to the Board of Education regarding construction projects and improvements.
After the committee discussed possible projects, the top priorities were tested through an independent, scientific survey of registered voters within Cassopolis Public Schools. The survey was conducted by research firm EPIC MRA.
A representative from EPIC MRA presented the survey results to the Long-Term Facilities Visioning Committee in September 2024.
Using the data gathered through the surveys, members of the Long-Term Facilities Visioning Committee voted on their top priorities so that a recommendation could be presented to the Board of Education.
The recommendation of the Committee was discussed by the Board of Education in October and November of 2024 before the scope of the potential bond projects was approved on December 16, 2024.

Why a bond proposal now?

In 2010, voters approved a $16,000,000 bond proposal for improvements to Sam Adams Elementary School. While the 2010 bond provided enhancements to the learning environments at the elementary level, it did not address our High School or the aging Squires Middle School. In those buildings, many infrastructure systems have since outlived their expected useful lives.

A full generation of students have graduated from Cassopolis Public Schools since 2010 without any significant improvement to these Middle and High School buildings. When the Board of Education recognized the opportunity to make improvements to the schools with a zero mill increase over the 2024 levy, board members sought input from the community to prioritize potential projects and develop a master plan for improving the facilities over the next several years.

Will there be opportunities for local contractors to bid on the work?

Financial Information – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Would the approval of the bond proposal have any impact on our current operational budget?

If the district has an operating budget deficit, why would it consider a bond proposal at this time?

Cassopolis Public Schools had an operating surplus in 2023-2024 and is projecting a manageable one-year operating deficit in 2024-2025.
The school district is committed to fiscal responsibility while also providing the best programs it can afford for the students of Cassopolis Public Schools.
The millage levied to repay the Bonds can only be used to repay the Bonds. These funds are legally prohibited from being used to pay for district operating budget expenses.

How are operating funds for the district determined?

Funding for operating school districts is based on the formula approved by voters thirty years ago as part of Proposal A. The funds for operating school districts are primarily determined by the legislature and governor.
Elected officials in Lansing have repeatedly reduced funds available to Cassopolis Public Schools by more than $5.5 million over the past 15 years.
Nonetheless, the locally elected Board of Education and district leaders are committed to ongoing fiscal responsibility in running Cassopolis Public Schools.

How can the school district complete this bond proposal without increasing the overall debt millage rate of 2.60?

Would money from the bond proposal be used to pay teachers’ salaries and benefits?

Ballot Language Information

Cassopolis Public Schools bond proposal ballot language breakdown flyer with May 6, 2025 vote info.

What is the ballot language?

Download the Ballot Language Breakdown Document (PDF)

The following is what will appear on ballots,

Shall Cassopolis Public Schools, Cass County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Forty-Two Million One Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars ($42,195,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of:

erecting, completing, remodeling, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; purchasing school buses; preparing, developing, improving and equipping athletic fields, play fields, playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites; and acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025 is 1.50 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty-seven (27) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.08 mills ($2.08 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

(Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

In the ballot language, the first paragraph states a not to exceed figure of $42,195,000 of general obligation unlimited tax bonds, what does this mean?

In the ballot language, it states the estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2025 is 1.50 mills . . . for a 0.00 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy, what does this mean?

Voting Information

How do I register to vote?

Visit Michigan.gov/vote to register to vote online.
It is recommended by the Secretary of State to register by mail by Monday, April 21, 2025, to participate in the May 6, 2025 election.
Individuals may also register in-person at their local clerk’s office through election day, May 6, 2025, with the required documentation. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote.

Are owners of property in the school district eligible to vote if they do not reside in the school district?

Owners of property are only eligible to vote if they reside within the school district’s boundaries. To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your village or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
A United States citizen
At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

If I rent a house or apartment, can I vote?

How is an absentee voter ballot obtained?

Registered voters must complete and submit the application to receive their absentee voter ballot. To vote by mail, fill out the application and sign it, and then return it to your local clerk. For assistance in obtaining the address of your local clerk, visit Michigan.gov/vote. When filling out the application, if you check the box to be added to the permanent absentee voter list, you will get an application mailed to you before every election.

If you registered to vote after absentee voter ballot applications were mailed, applications may be obtained online at Michigan.gov/vote. Absentee voter ballots are available as early as March 27 through election day, May 6, 2025.

What are the key dates leading up to Tuesday, May 6, 2025 election day?

Where and when will the vote occur?

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 is election day, but absentee voting can occur leading up to that date.
All registered voters may cast an absentee voter ballot by mail.
Voters may also cast a ballot at the polling location established by their village/township.
- Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
- If you have questions or do not know where you vote, please contact your village/township clerk's office.

More Information

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Contact Jim English, Director of Finance, at [email protected]

Contact Dr. John Ritzler, Superintendent, at [email protected]