Taylor School Board approves multiple bids, authorizes bond sale and begins Taylor High renovation planning

The Taylor School District Board of Education on March 19 approved a package of field trips, contract awards and purchases and voted to proceed with selling the remainder of a voter-approved bond authorization and to begin renovation planning for Taylor High School.

Board actions taken by roll call included approval of overnight student trips (SkillsUSA state competition in Grand Rapids; DECA conference in Orlando; Middle School trips to the Toledo Mud Hens and Cedar Point), authorization to purchase Summit K12 ELL services for $16,630 from At‑Risk Section 31a grant funds, and multiple construction and equipment awards.

Facilities contracts authorized included awards from bid 2545 for vinyl-coated playground fencing: Nationwide Construction Group for Holland Elementary ($33,232), McDowell Elementary ($32,587), Blair Moody Elementary ($47,500.50) and Taylor Parks Elementary ($34,620); and American Fence for Randall Elementary ($38,040). The board also approved a boiler replacement contract at West Middle School to Delta Temp Services for $165,945; staff said the scope includes demo, two new boilers and updated controls and monitoring. The Board approved CTE construction materials for a student-built storage facility (materials cost $65,462.98) and awarded welding equipment to Green Manufacturing not to exceed $268,359 to expand the district’s welding labs and career-technical capacity.

On the financing front, the board approved an “assurance of bonds” resolution related to the district’s remaining voter‑authorized bond capacity (presented by district bond counsel and staff). The motion to approve that assurance passed on a recorded vote of 5–1; one board member said they opposed the issuance, calling it “not what the voters voted for.” Administration described the next steps as design work, community input and updating the district’s PQ (project qualification) application to the state as required for renovations.

The board separately approved a motion to initiate discussions and planning to renovate Taylor High School rather than build a new facility; administration said this will launch an eight‑month design process with public engagement and subsequent bidding as appropriate.

Board members emphasized transparency and community involvement during follow-up remarks. A member of the public asked for a clearer plan for how the $100 million in remaining bond authorization would be allocated; administration said the bond proceeds would be phased and that the design process will identify specific priorities and costs.