Central Families,
Don't forget to get your Intersession forms in by the 31st. Spots are limited; first come, first served. The February Intersession is February 19-23.
Central Families,
We want to personally thank all the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore fundraiser! We are on our way to reaching our goal, but we need everyone's help! If your family has not participated, there's still time!
This safe and easy fundraiser is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products. Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached. Please help now. It really will make a difference.
Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000155495 to show our valued teachers your support. Thanks!
Central Elementary School
We love our bus drivers! Today, some drivers had fun making snow angels after their morning bus runs. Thank you for ensuring our students get to and from school safely and bringing smiles to so many.
Improving the facility infrastructure
• Replacing the 20-year-old roof
Updating mechanical and electrical systems
• Replacing HVAC systems in the gym and cafeteria and adding air conditioning
• Replacing HVAC controls to regulate heat and air in classrooms
• Adding a generator to support food coolers and freezers during power outages
Improving facility sites/exterior improvements
• Adding an electronic sign to the front of the building for announcements
• Upgrading the playground
• Replacing the service drive to update the deteriorating surface
Purchasing furniture and equipment
• Adding storage units for educational/classroom instructional materials
What will happen if voters do not approve the bond proposal?
The bond projects cannot be completed as proposed. If necessary, emergency repairs or updates will come out of the operating budget, taking away funds from the student educational program.
Today Central started a SchoolStore fundraising program to help our school raise money. An envelope explaining how the program works has been sent home with your student. Parents, please read over the information describing how you can participate. Your student will earn a participation prize when they return the filled-out envelope to school, and they can earn more great prizes when your family and friends help our school raise money. Don't forget to send the filled-out envelope back to school, and thanks for your support.
Why is the purchase of buses included in the bond proposal?
Purchasing school buses through the bond proposal relieves pressure on the general fund operating budget. It also ensures that the Vassar Public Schools’ bus fleet will be systematically upgraded as buses reach the end of their useful life. Two school buses will be purchased with the bond proposal revenue which will reduce the number of school buses leased by the school district.
Due to icy road conditions and extremely low temperatures, Vassar Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 15. Stay warm and safe, Vulcans.
The School of Choice window for Vassar Public Schools' second semester officially opens on Monday! School of Choice applications will be accepted until January 26 for students in grades 2, and 5-12. At this time the district is not accepting school of choice students in grades K, 1, 3, or 4. If you know a student who lives outside of the Vassar district who would like to be a part of one of our amazing schools don't wait, have them contact Stacy in the Superintendent’s office today at 989-823-8535 option 1.
How can approval of the bond proposal not raise the current tax rate?
Vassar Public Schools will extend its debt for the entirety of the bond, which will not require any tax rate increase to complete the projects.
Don't forget. Family Game Night is at Central tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the gym. Bring your own board/card games or we will have some games available. We will also have bingo, snacks, and prizes!
We know our students and staff love snow days as the season finally has decided to show up we want to remind everyone of the district's snow day procedures.
As soon as a snow day is declared, the district will send a robocall, text message, and post closures on our website, App, and Facebook pages. We will also notify the following TV and radio stations: TV5, TV 12, TV 25, Fox 66, 98 FM, 102.5 FM, 93.3 FM, 104.5 FM, and 96.1 FM.
The district will not decide on after-school activities until roughly 1 pm on a snow day. We want to ensure that we provide every opportunity for after-school activities to continue as scheduled if it is safe. Pushing this announcement to later in the day allows road crews to address road conditions and the district to re-evaluate road conditions.
Middle School Athletic practices have been canceled for this evening. High School Athletic practices will continue as scheduled. Attendance is optional; athletes should contact their coaches for practice details. Play additions will still occur in the High School Auditorium from 6 pm to 8 pm.
District buildings will not be open to walkers this evening.
Who reviews bond proposal projects before they are placed on the ballot?
Bond Proposal projects must be reviewed and approved by the Michigan Department of Treasury. All renovations and upgrades must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Bond revenue and expenditures must be independently audited annually to ensure compliance with legal regulations.
Central Families! Mrs. Zeil is looking forward to seeing you at Game Night this Thursday.
How were the bond proposal projects identified?
As part of the Vassar Strategic Planning Process, school administrators obtained input from community members, parents, and staff to identify potential district-wide facility improvements for a 2024 no-tax-rate increase bond proposal.
Using a computerized platform called, Thought Exchange, participants shared their ideas for facility updates. Projects not included as part of the last bond proposal were also considered.
The Vassar Public Schools’ administrative team, along with engineers, construction managers, and architects, reviewed the suggested projects from the community, and the final project list was completed.
Good Evening Vulcan Families just a reminder that school resumes Monday! Make sure your students get to bed early and are on time. We can't wait to welcome students and staff back!
Can any of the bond proposal funds be used for employee salaries or operating expenses?
No. Bond proposal funds cannot be used for employee salaries. They also cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs or other operating expenses. Bond proposal funds must be used only for purposes specified in the ballot language, and as required by state law, they must be independently audited.
Vassar Public Schools would like to congratulate Ms. Dorothy Blackwell on her retirement! While searching for a candidate to continue leading Vassar Public Schools, Erin Raymond, 6-12 Principal, will be placed as Interim Superintendent. Congratulations to Ms. Blackwell- thank you for everything you have done for the Vassar School District.
What can bond proposal revenue be used for?
• Bonds can be used for:
• Constructing additions to existing school buildings
• Remodeling existing school buildings
• Energy conservation improvements
• Site development and improvements
• Athletic and physical education facility development and improvements
• Playground development and improvements
• School bus purchases
• Purchasing loose furnishings and equipment (including administrative technology)
• Direct bond program costs, such as professional fees, election fees, issuance costs, qualification fees, insurance fees, and final audit costs
• Technology purchases are limited to hardware and communication devices that transmit, receive, or compute information for pupil instructional purposes only. The initial purchase of an operating system and customized application software is allowed if purchased with the initial hardware.
