Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Following the approval of a bond proposal for Howell Public Schools in Tuesday’s election; the district says it will usher in a new era of modern learning environments, increased safety and security, state-of-the-art learning tools, upgraded infrastructure, and new community facilities.

Voters approved the $258 (m) million “Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Proposal” by more than 60%.

The district held numerous meetings about the proposal and said the investments would not be possible without the support of the community that voted to approve the bond proposal.

Superintendent Erin MacGregor said "On behalf of the Board of Education, our students, staff, and families, I want to thank the entire Howell community for their support of this proposal and their continued commitment to our district. With the approval of the bond proposal, our students will continue to have access to state-of-the-art learning tools and will attend schools in safe learning environments that match the incredible instruction that happens each day at Howell Public Schools".

Following the approval, the district will begin taking the necessary steps to issue the bonds. It will also initiate an extensive design phase including gathering staff, students, and family feedback to contribute to the blueprint of the replacement and renovated schools.

HPS Director of Communications Tom Gould told WHMI the passage of the bond is “truly transformational for the district”. He says they’ll be able to replace their two oldest elementary schools – Northwest and Southwest - both of which are nearly 70-years-old. Gould said they’ll be able to have new, modern elementary schools where the building matches the incredible learning that’s already going on in the district - along with a new community center that will benefit students, families, and the community at large.

Gould stressed that they are so thankful for the support of the community and they’re really excited for the process to begin – adding “it’s the support that we have from our families, our community members that really make Howell Public Schools such an incredible place”.

Gould said first steps will be naming an architecture firm and a construction management firm and then start the process of issuing the bonds. He said there’s really going to be about a year to 18 months of design work to figure out what’s needed in the new buildings and what the layout will be. Construction will likely start in the early spring of 2025. Gould noted they’re really going to prioritize the learning environments so the new buildings and renovations, followed by the community center and some of the other enhancements.

Complete details about the proposal and conceptual renderings are available in the provided links.