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CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis School Board continued reviewing plans for the district’s long-term facilities planning at their regular monthly meeting on Monday.

The plans were borne from the board’s request for community input, which led to the eventual formation of a community group and a scientific survey to gauge the community’s priorities and desires for the district earlier this year.

Based on those discussions, as well as feedback from the board, Business Manager James English presented an initial proposal. The work largely depends on the success of a May 2025 Bond Resolution. Throughout the discussion, it was emphasized several times that the bond would be for a no millage increase to tax payers.

The work currently is to finalize the list of projects to include in the $42,195,000 bond. Items discussed, based on community feedback, included the relocation of Cassopolis Middle School, making more secure entrances into buildings, a remodel of kitchen facilities, upgrades to building environmental systems and controls across the district, exterior signage, asbestos abatement, a marching band tower, playground improvements at Sam Adams Elementary School, accessibility upgrades to outdoor facilities, and purchases of furniture, equipment, and other technology for classrooms and agricultural and career technology instruction.

One item of extended discussion was whether to include the purchase of school buses in the bond proposal. The community survey results indicated an interest in new buses. English noted that inclusion of buses in the bond language did not require the district to purchase them with those funds if they were able to find another method to pay, but it gave them the option, which they would not have without the inclusion.

Regardless of the bond decision, it was discussed that a long-term plan for buses needed to be implemented, particularly due to continuously rising costs. English expressed the desire to eventually create a rolling schedule for regular bus replacement.

The zero mill increase is planned for the ballot on May 6, 2025. Once finalized, ballot language will be available on the school district website, along with the list of projects. English emphasized that a goal of the project is to be transparent to the public throughout the process.

Superintendent Dr. John Ritzler reported that the district had received eight Michigan Multi-Tiered System of Supports awards. MTSS is a research-based framework for education that helps provide for the specific needs of individual students. The awards were given to the high school, middle school, and the district as a whole for areas including reading and student behavior.

The board received the first reading of several policy updates. The changes related to reflecting new regulations in federal grants, medical training, artificial intelligence, the support of homeless students, the ability of the school safety and security officer to carry a weapon, and continuing to align the practices based on the district’s recent unqualified financial audit rating. The policy updates will be voted on during the December school board meeting.

The next board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the  Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School Media Center.