
Birch Run Area Schools May 2025 Ballot Proposals
The Birch Run Area Schools Board of Education, Administration and Future Committee have been working for over a year to identify and prioritize the future needs of our district. After examination of our current facilities and discussion by various stakeholders, the District is excited to be pursuing a Bond proposal in May 2025. The pursuit of this bond aligns with our Strategic Plan that was established in 2022. If passed, the bond will give the district the opportunity to address many needs, as well as, building toward the future.
What projects are planned with the Bond Funds?
The majority of the bond projects can be categorized under 5 areas:

So what exactly is on the ballot?
There will be two proposals on the May 2025 ballot for Birch Run Area Schools residents. The first is the Operating Millage Renewal. The second is the Bond Proposal. Check out the actual language.

Understanding the Ballot Language
Bond Details
While the District has worked diligently to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to it, over time large-scale facility maintenance and enhancements still become necessary. There are a number of critical needs that would be addressed by the proposed Bond. In addition, there are safety upgrades that will serve to further protect our students and staff. Finally, the district is excited about plans to add additional spaces to enhance our student experience.
The Bond proposal would renew the current millage of 2.6 mills, as well as, adding an additional 2.9 mills for a total of 5.5 mills.
The Needs

Top Priorities:
Roofs - Approximately 75% of the district roofs are recommended for replacement in the next 3-5 years.
Heating/Cooling - Modern boilers have an expected lifespan of 20 years. The district has 5 boilers that are 25+ years old and 2 more that are approaching the 20 year mark. Additionally, while the district does not have air conditioning in most spaces, there are some AC units that need replacement.
Door Access System - The current door access system is old and has very limited capabilities. An upgraded system would result in the most up-to-date safety features ensuring our schools are secured.
Aging Plumbing - At North Elementary, in particular, the age of the building is starting to create some ongoing issues with our plumbing system.
Flooring - Several classrooms at North Elementary need tile replacement.
Additional Electrical Outlets - Many classrooms at North Elementary and MGMS have 1 or 2 outlets for the entire room. In a tech heavy world, this is very limiting.
MGMS Playground - The playground space at MGMS is outdated and needs a facelift.
MGMS Parking Lot - The rear parking lot at MGMS needs to be replaced.

Top Priorities:
Additional Classroom Space at North Elementary
There are more than 700 students that are educated every day at North Elementary.
In recent years, Birch Run has significantly increased our Preschool offerings, which has added to the crowding at North.
The additional classroom space would provide much needed space for our youngest Panthers.
Additional storage and office space would also be prioritized.

Top Priorities:
Enhancing Skilled Trades spaces
This project emerged as a key priority for community members, aligning with the district’s goal of preparing students for diverse career pathways after graduation.
One of the current issues with our high school skilled trades space is that it's only outside access is to the courtyard. This limits the size of projects that are able to be created in this space.
As part of this effort, the bond includes funding for additional space at Birch Run High School, dedicated to Skilled Trades and Career Technical Education, ensuring students have the facilities needed to develop hands-on skills for future careers.

Top Priorities:
Building an all Performing Arts Center
Many surrounding communities have an auditorium or performing arts center, which is a standard feature for both student instruction and community use.
Currently, Birch Run students have to perform in the cafeteria with lunch tables and vending machines as their backdrop.
This bond would allow us to improve the learning environment for all students.
Check out this document created by our Future Committee, which outlines the many ways such a space could benefit our students and the entire community.

Top Priorities:
Enhancing our athletic complexes - both indoor and outdoor.
The bond proposal would include significant upgrades to our athletic facilities, ensuring a better environment for physical activities and sports.
These improvements include updating our indoor athletic facilities, sports fields and locker rooms, as well as, adding dedicated spaces for specific programs and community use.
The goal is to foster a well-rounded educational experience for all students, while also creating additional practice space for our young Panthers.
These enhancements would support both our athletic teams and extracurricular programs, contributing to the overall growth and development of our students.