SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Superintendent Kevin Macina 

Hello Byron Center Community,

As the new Superintendent of Byron Center Public Schools, I could not be more honored to be part of this wonderful community. In my 20 years with Byron Center, I have experienced strong collaboration along with high expectations to help all kids succeed. Our success includes high student achievement, outstanding accomplishments in athletics, and national success in fine arts. While these instances are exemplary, as Superintendent, I am most proud that we have done this in partnership with a devoted and hard-working staff and community. Our collaborative spirit has been the strength of the foundation that directly impacts the success of our students.

Over the last year, the district has completed an in-depth look at our growth and capacity. During this time district administration, along with the Board of Education completed board work sessions, community conversations, staff meetings, and a community survey to gather input on our growing community. Based on this input, the Board of Education voted unanimously to place an $80,185,000 bond proposal on the ballot for May 5, 2020. This proposal, with no expected tax rate increase, would focus on capacity needs and support improvements in the areas of safety, security, facility improvements, and technology.

Byron Center Public Schools has seen an unprecedented amount of growth in the last 10 years. Byron Center went from a district of 3000 students to a district of over 4000 students.  Current elementary buildings are nearly at capacity with approximately 550 students in each building. With the increase in the number of projected students, there is a need for a fourth elementary school.  The Nickels Intermediate 5/6 building is currently 94% full and is in need of more classroom space. As the district continues to grow, Byron Center Public Schools has developed a proposal with no expected tax rate increase that would include a new 5/6 building and a renovation of the current 5/6 building to become a K-4 building. With the addition of a new 5/6 building and the renovation to create a K-4 building, we would be prepared for future student growth. 

This bond proposal for Byron Center Public Schools also includes upgrades in technology, possible property purchase, expansion and improvements for the cafeteria and the media center at West Middle School, infrastructure improvements throughout the district, improvements to the Van Singel Fine Arts Center, and would address athletic program projects. In addition to the infrastructure improvements, the bond would also provide funding to replace aging buses as well as adding new buses to accommodate growth. Enhancements to the security infrastructure of the district would also be addressed with the bond funds with no expected tax rate increase.  

Byron Center Public Schools will continue to provide information regarding the vote on May 5, 2020. Everyone is invited to our first community forum on March 16, 6:00PM, at Nickels Intermediate School. At this forum, we will provide more specific information regarding the proposal.

Attached to this letter are the community survey results supporting the bond proposal and a recent article that was posted in the School News Network. 

If you have any questions prior to our community forum or would like to schedule a time to meet, please contact me at 616.878.6100 or e-mail. I welcome any discussion or questions about the bond proposal.

Go Bulldogs!

Kevin Macina

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