$14 million in improvements include upgrading the stadium and track
Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public School District in partnership with Oceana County Press.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — Hart Public Schools officials are asking voters Tuesday, May 6, to approve a proposal that would continue the district’s bond levy, generating about $14 million at no additional cost to the taxpayers. The funds will be used to make improvements throughout the school’s campus, including upgrades to the football stadium and track.
“Right now, we have an opportunity to generate money without increasing the millage rate. That’s a rare opportunity,” said Superintendent Mark Platt. “We do not have a plan to increase the tax rate — our plan is to maintain the tax rate.
“Basically what we’re doing is pushing out the current bond levy for a few years. It’s extending the length of the bond. Are we adding to people’s taxes? No. The rate is not changing at all. Right now, nobody can afford more.
“We’re not looking to increase the millage rate — we’re looking to extend the years on the millage.”
The current millage rate is 4.49 mills, which includes the 2015 bond and the previous bond from many years ago. “We’re able to generate roughly $13.9 million. It’s an opportunity to keep the levy the same but generate additional money.”
The district hosted forums to gain insight from the community about where improvements should be focused. “We had the architects meet with the staff and survey the staff about what they thought (building) needs were.
“Everything that we’re going after is pretty much a replacement of something. This is pretty much a maintenance effort. Not that we haven’t taken care of the buildings, but some of these costs exceed what a normally-operating budget can handle.”
A rendering of the proposed stadium.
Voters passed a bond issue in May of 2015 for $15.8 million in improvements to the district, which involved major renovations to the high school.
A big area of improvement in the current proposal focuses on the football stadium. “We have an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance issue out there,” he said. Even though the stadium was built in 1984 or 85, those bleachers are older.” The bleachers used to be in John Gurney Park located by Hart Lake and were repurposed for use at the stadium. “There is no way to make them ADA compliant,” said Platt.
“If you are someone who has a harder time getting around, those bleachers are not user-friendly. Somebody should be able to get into the bleachers with the use of a wheelchair, and our bleachers are so old, you can’t do that. The visitor side is more up-to-date, but the home side is grandfathered in.”
The concession stand at the stadium is also in dire need of renovations. “The bathrooms have only two stalls. If you’re someone who has an ADA issue, it’s not very convenient.
“Our fans who might be handicapped, seniors or those who just struggle to get around, the feeling is not very welcoming to them at all.”
A new proposed parking lot situated closer to the stadium will help people get easier access to the stadium, too.
– Contributed photo — The Hart Girls Varsity Track Team celebrates its 2024 state title.
With a six-lane track, the Pirates are prevented from hosting many track competitions. A new eight-lane track is proposed. “Our track situation is so small, we can’t host regional meets; we can’t host invitationals; we really can’t host jamborees. You would think that the most successful running school in the State of Michigan history would be able to host a regional track meet.”
The Pirate track and cross country teams have captured a combined 10 state titles in the last seven years with the girl’s track squad gaining its third straight Division 3 state title last season. Hart’s football team has been steadily gaining success in recent years — improving from 2015 when there was no varsity team to 2023 when the 8-1 Pirates made their first state playoff appearance in the school’s history.
At the middle school, the key component is installing a secure entryway. “The big issue we have at the middle school is the secretarial group can’t see outside,” said the superintendent.
Another improvement area is the east side of Spitler Elementary School, which is over 55 years old. “It’s the oldest part of the district — it hasn’t had a remodel, it’s kind of vintage. The lights are so old, you can’t get replacement parts. Heating doesn’t work efficiently over there. We have some pipes that are corroding, and they will spring a leak. And when they spring a leak, it becomes very problematic. In terms of heating that wing of the building, we’re on borrowed time.”
– Photo courtesy of Chrissy Klotz — The 2023 Hart Varsity Football Team
Another area on the campus included in the plan is the Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center, which is also 50-plus years old. The building was initially built for instructing upper elementary students, but now it is utilized for 3- and 4-year-olds. “It needs far more efficient windows, and it really needs a better heating and cooling system.”
Proposed improvements include:
Stadium and track — $6.7 million:
- New eight-lane competition track
- ADA accessible improvements and renovation to the grandstands and bleachers
- New concession and restroom building
- New press box
- Relocate the long jump and pole vault (location to be determined)
- New parking lot and plaza
Spitler Elementary — $3.8 million:
- East wing renovation, including carpet, ceiling and countertops
- Restroom renovation
- Upgrade to water heater and boiler
- Bottle refillers/drinking water stations
- Mechanical upgrades
Diman Wolf Early Childhood Center — $1 million:
- Secure vestibules/entryways
- New exterior doors and windows
- Bottle refillers/drinking water stations
- Electrical upgrades
- Roofing upgrades
High School — $1.3 million:
- HVAC upgrades
- Bottle refillers/drinking water stations
- Partial roof replacement
Middle School — $1 million:
- Secure vestibule/entryway upgrades
- Water heaters and boiler upgrades
- Bottle refillers/drinking water stations
- Plumbing fixture upgrades
“We know that we have been good stewards of the facilities that the community has been gracious enough to support, and there are some areas that simply need some attention.
“These opportunities to generate money without increasing taxes don’t happen very often. I really believe in this bond. I think it’s very practical. It’s not anything fancy. It treats people fairly — I would like to see that for our senior citizens and the folks who have disabilities.”
If voters approve the proposal, construction could begin as early as next fall.
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