Grand Partner of the Month
The Board recognized The CHILL Foundation (Community CHILL Program) as the October Grand Partner of the Month. The organization was honored for its continued partnership supporting GHAPS students through after-school academic help and enrichment opportunities.
The Community CHILL Program, which stands for Completing Homework in a Learning Lab, is a homework completion program available to any 5th – 8th-grade student enrolled in Grand Haven Area Public Schools. Through the program, students have access to a supervised location to complete assignments, catch up on past due work, study for tests, and receive additional support from adult volunteers, as well as high school or college-aged mentors.
Instructional Services Update
Executive Director of Instructional Services Mary Jane Evink presented recent i-Ready benchmark assessment data for students in grades 1–8. The district noted gains in several grade levels and highlighted areas of continued focus in both reading and math.
The Board also reviewed updated data from the Reading Now Network, celebrating improvement trends in both ELA and math across GHAPS and among regional peers.
Business Services Update
The board reviewed business service updates, including the approval of the district’s most recent financial audit, which demonstrated continued fiscal health and compliance with no additional notes–a notable accomplishment according to the district’s auditor. The board also approved the following items:
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Signing Contracts Delegation Approval: Motion to adopt the resolution authorizing employees in specific administrative positions to sign and execute District agreements from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
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Equipment Purchase for Public Announcement System Approval: Motion to approve the purchase of Phase 1 Materials of the Unified District Public Address System for a total cost not to exceed $690,060.58.
Website and App Updates
Director of Communications and Marketing Nate Hunt shared progress on the district’s new website and mobile app, both designed to improve accessibility and user experience for staff, families, and community members.
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The new district website is in its final production phase, with a full launch anticipated in November 2025.
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The new district app is currently being piloted with the Duneside Discovery Center and will expand districtwide through spring 2026.
Both platforms will serve as key tools for sharing updates on strategic plan progress, district news, and master planning information moving forward.
Strategic Plan and Master Plan Updates
Superintendent Kristin Perkowski presented progress on the GHAPS Strategic Plan approved earlier this year, including the development of measurable metrics and a multi-year implementation timeline. The first public dashboard will launch following the November Board meeting, with quarterly reporting beginning in early 2026.
The Board also reviewed updates to the District Master Plan, which continues to take shape following an extensive community engagement process. Key takeaways from nearly 1,400 survey responses and dozens of stakeholder sessions include:
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Strong support for maintaining five elementary schools with space for future growth.
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Preference for keeping Central High School in a separate space from GHHS.
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Emphasis on safety, modernization, and fiscal responsibility as top priorities.
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Interest in continued transparency and communication throughout the planning process.
The administrative team recommended continued exploration of:
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A five-elementary model.
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A 5th–8th-grade campus at the White Pines and Griffin Elementary properties, allowing for program alignment and site efficiency while reducing transitions for students.
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Strategic renovations and modernization across all school sites, with no buildings proposed for decommissioning under the draft plan.
Superintendent and her team will report back to the board during next month’s meeting on Monday, November 17 with further master plan updates, next steps, and a continued discussion about potential future bond timelines.
Bond Considerations and Future Planning
The Board discussed next steps for facilities and funding planning, including potential bond election timelines in May, August, or November 2026. They also reviewed millage comparison data showing that GHAPS currently has the lowest total millage rates (including debt bonds and sinking funds) among other area districts and one of the lowest in Michigan overall at 0.696.*
*The district’s current operating millage, which only applies to non-homestead properties, is on par with all other area districts at 18 mills. However, these funds, which must be renewed annually, can only be utilized for day-to-day operations like salaries, benefits, supplies, utilities, transportation, and student programs–not capital projects like construction and renovation projects.
Next steps include refining project scopes and costs for Board review in November and launching a public-facing communication plan to share survey results, concept options, and continued opportunities for community input.
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