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?
 |
Beadle Lake Elementary
|
 |
Sonoma Elementary
|
 |
Wattles Park Elementary
|
 |
Harper Creek Middle School
|
|
Harper Creek High School
Bus Garage
|
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
Harper Creek Middle School STEAM Teacher Grant Recipient May 18, 2026
HCMS STEAM teacher receives mini-grant to purchase tools to help students bring their innovative creations to life.
Harper's Unsung Hero- Elizabeth Murphy April 27, 2026
Elizabeth chose teaching as her second career, with her first classroom placement being at Valley View Elementary, the school she attended as a child. She eventually joined her children at Wattles Park Elementary. Like her path to becoming a teacher, her path to becoming a parent was also non-traditional.
Beaveriety is Back! April 9, 2026
After several years away, the Beaveriety Talent Show is returning to Harper Creek, inviting everyone in the community to showcase their skills. With open auditions and a spirit of togetherness, the event aims to celebrate wide-ranging talents while supporting performing arts programs. Auditions will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Harper Creek High School auditorium.
Harper's Unsung Hero - Lindsey Cook March 11, 2026
Lindsey has evolved as an educator, taking on various roles, including early childhood teacher, first-grade teacher, fourth-grade teacher, and virtual English teacher for non-English learners. During and after the pandemic, she began to take on several leadership roles, which eventually led to her transition from teacher to administrator
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.
