When I was hired as superintendent of Coldwater Community Schools, I was asked regularly when I would go to the voters for a bond focusing on the high school. It quickly became a priority of mine, but I needed to be sure I could support the process and evaluate all options before asking the community to consider an investment in our district’s facilities.

Coldwater Community Schools has benefited greatly from community support in the past, and we also recognize that our two most recent bond requests were not approved by voters. Those outcomes were heard clearly and have guided our planning and reflection. Since that time, approximately 2.25 mills have fallen off the district’s tax levy, creating an opportunity to thoughtfully revisit our longterm facility needs.

Through a comprehensive planning process that included a committee made up of staff, administration, and community members, we evaluated multiple options with a focus on student safety, learning environments, and fiscal responsibility.

Ultimately, the committee recommended to the Board of Education a proposal to spend $64 million for an addition of classrooms, and major renovations to the building. While we acknowledge that this proposal represents a tax increase, the committee ultimately agreed on a plan that would result in a 1.5 mill increase — balancing identified needs with sensitivity to our taxpayers.

This page on our website shares more details about the proposed improvements and the rationale behind them. My hope is that you will take time to learn about the plan and engage in the conversation. If you have additional questions, please reach out to me at flynnp@ccscards.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Coldwater Community Schools and for your commitment to our students and community. I am confident that we can solve the problem of our aging high school, and ensure many years of quality facilities for our students, staff, and community.

Sincerely,

Paul Flynn
Superintendent
Coldwater Community Schools