Chippewa Hills School District fails to pass a bond proposal
Chippewa Hills School District failed to pass a bond proposal that aimed to renovate buildings, upgrade security in schools and expand gym spaces on Nov. 4, 2025.
The bond failed to pass with 51% of those voting no, and 49% of those voting yes, according to a WNEM report.
"(I'm) disappointed that it didn't pass," Larry Jose, bond co-chair, said. "We're gonna find out what the next appropriate steps are because the need (for security) still exists."
Chippewa Hills is a school district that serves students from Isabella, Mecosta and Osceola counties. The district includes a high school, middle school, three elementary schools and an online school.
The bond language stated that it would borrow around $39.9 million, which will be repaid over 25 years. The current millage within the district is at 2.41 Mills and would not increase with the proposal. According to the Chippewa Hills website, this is one of the lowest millage rates in the region.
"We're trying to become more of a community," Larry Jose, bond co-chair, said. "We're taking big steps in that manner."
The school's website read that the bond would have gone to these three things:
- Upgrading outdated safety systems and installing new security systems
- Create a new auxiliary gym, walking track and wrestling room that will be open to the public during certain times, provide additional practice space for sports teams and will be connected to the high school so students do not have to cross M-66 to use certain facilities
- Renovate buildings throughout the district, including school bathrooms, floors and windows within the middle school, high school and more
In a town hall meeting on Oct. 28, attendees shared their concerns about the bond.
Coaches came forward to talk about their experiences coaching in the gym. They said there is currently not enough space for athletes. Jose was the head football coach for 21 years and is now the coach for the wrestling and baseball teams.
He said that athletic teams often have to practice late at night because there isn't enough space for multiple teams to practice. With this auxiliary gym, they are also hoping to build a wrestling room to keep wrestlers from having to cross M-66 to get to their current practice space.
"I think it's important in this day and age to get kids home at a reasonable time," he said. "We have kids here until 9 o'clock at night almost every night just because of (a) lack of gym space. ... If we add a gym onto what we currently have, then we'll be getting kids out of here on most nights about 6 or 6:30 compared to 9.
"It's getting kids in their living rooms with their families, and not only that but allowing them more time to study and prepare."
Jen Purdy is an English teacher at the Chippewa Hills Middle School, but has also taught at Remus and Mecosta elementary. She said she was hopeful about the bond.
"I think if we don't invest in our schools, we're not investing in our future," Purdy said.
