Zeeland Schools approves second series of 2021 bond, bids for admin building work

Mitchell Boatman, The Holland Sentinel
·2 min read

ZEELAND — Some major construction projects at Zeeland Public Schools will soon be underway after the school board approved contracts and a bond issuance Monday, Jan. 16.

More:Zeeland Schools board approves property purchase, project bids

During its meeting Monday evening, the ZPS school board authorized the issuances of Series II bonds from the approved 2021 bond effort, totaling $30 million.

During its meeting Monday evening, the ZPS school board authorized the issuances of Series II bonds from the approved 2021 bond effort, totaling $30 million.
During its meeting Monday evening, the ZPS school board authorized the issuances of Series II bonds from the approved 2021 bond effort, totaling $30 million.

The next series of bond money will fund a variety of projects, including an addition to finish Adams Elementary — which is just getting underway — an athletic complex at the high school with two turf fields and tennis courts, a major addition to the administration building, and roofing and HVAC replacements and equipment upgrades throughout the district.

Bids for one of those projects, the administration building, were also approved Monday.

The work will include an 8,000-square-foot addition, housing more offices and departments. It will cost $5.43 million and is part of the 2021 bond. Work is expected to begin this fall and finish in the fall of 2024.

Lynn VanKampen, chief financial officer for ZPS, said the new space will have offices for facilities, human resources and the business office, with the existing space shifting to a curriculum and special education building.

“We have a lot of instructional coaches, behavioral coaches, special education coaches (across the district),” VanKampen said. “We’ll be able to pull them all back and they’ll be able to work together. Obviously they’ll be out in the district, too, but it gives them a space to work together.”

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Bids for parking lot work at Zeeland West were approved Monday, as well. The $630,478 project, funded through the building and site sinking fund, will include repaving the parking lot, the roads along the front of the building and renovation of the school’s shipping dock.

Zeeland will also refund a portion of its 2012 bond issue. VanKampen didn't have an exact savings amount — that'll be available once the agreement is final — but said the bonds currently have an interest rate between 4 and 5 percent. The current market is between 2 and 3 percent, she said.

By refunding with a better rate, the district saves money on repaying the funds.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland Schools approves second series of 2021 bond