Vote May 7, 2024
$24 Million for Facility Improvements
0.6 Mill Increase From Current Debt Levy
What will the ballot say?
HARPER CREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOND PROPOSAL
Shall Harper Creek Community Schools, Calhoun County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Twenty-Four Million Dollars ($24,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting, remodeling, and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and facilities, and additions to school buildings and facilities; furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; acquiring, installing, equipping and re-equipping school buildings for instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites?
The following is for informational purposes only:
The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2024, under current law, is 0.60 mill ($0.60 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0.60 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy. The maximum number of years the bonds of any series may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is twenty (20) years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.96 mills ($2.96 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).
The school district expects to borrow from the State School Bond Qualification and Loan Program to pay debt service on these bonds. The estimated total principal amount of that borrowing is $3,938,495 and the estimated total interest to be paid thereon is $3,069,633. The estimated duration of the millage levy associated with that borrowing is 12 years and the estimated computed millage rate for such levy is 7.72 mills. The estimated computed millage rate may change based on changes in certain circumstances.
The total amount of qualified bonds currently outstanding is $33,230,000. The total amount of qualified loans currently outstanding is approximately $14,229,702.
| Market Value | Taxable Value | Annual Increase | Monthly Increase |
| $100,000 | $50,000 | $30.00 | $2.50 |
| $150,000 | $75,000 | $45.00 | $3.75 |
| $200,000 | $100,000 | $60.00 | $5.00 |
| $250,000 | $125,000 | $75.00 | $6.25 |
| $300,000 | $150,000 | $90.00 | $7.50 |
| $350,000 | $175,000 | $105.00 | $8.75 |
What is the proposed scope of work?
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Beadle Lake Elementary
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Sonoma Elementary
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Wattles Park Elementary
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Harper Creek Middle School
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Harper Creek High School
Bus Garage
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More questions? Contact Harper Creek Community Schools at 269.441.6550.
Paid for by Harper Creek Community Schools, 7454 B Drive North, Battle Creek, MI 49014
It's Time for Countdown to DK/Kindergarten 2026 February 19, 2026
Welcome to Harper Creek Community Schools! Our Developmental Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs offer a safe, caring, and engaging start to your child’s education. We look forward to partnering with you to Educate, Empower, and Equip students for life.
Countdown to Kindergarten is for children who will be attending DK or Kindergarten in the 2026 - 2027 school year. Two sessions will be held at each of the Harper Creek Community Schools' elementary schools. Join us:
Tuesday, March 3, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
and
Tuesday, April 7, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Harper's Unsung Hero - Lesa Kenney February 18, 2026
Lesa’s passion for music as a child led her to pursue a teaching degree. She was inspired by middle school music teachers and knew that she also wanted to be a music teacher. Although she couldn’t become a music teacher, she still completed her degree at WMU to become a teacher.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Dennis McKeen February 11, 2026
Dennis developed a passion for theater as a student at Battle Creek Central High School. He was fortunate enough to enjoy a long career, writing, acting, and directing shows in various venues. A few years after retiring from the theatre industry, he signed on to be a district sub for Harper Creek. He and our other district subs are of great value to our day-to-day operations, helping out wherever they are needed.
Harper's Unsung Heroes - Stefanie Howard December 17, 2025
Stefanie attended Harper Creek Schools starting in 1st Grade, all the way through high school graduation. She developed a love for school as a young student at Beadle Lake Elementary. Upon graduation, she started at MSU with hopes of earning a marketing degree, but this didn’t last long. She quickly switched her focus to education. Her teaching career began in Houston, but she would eventually return home.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Matt Bilger December 3, 2025
Matt grew up in the Bilger family, the second of four children. He was different than his siblings, the first in his family to participate in athletics. Through these differences, Matt has been able to find his own niche as a teacher and a coach. He has developed a passion for his career, making an impact on current and former Harper Creek students.
