Jan 21, 2022 | Northwestern & Springfield Transformation
The BCPS Middle School Bond will be on the ballot on Tuesday, May 4th! Do you have questions on how the money will be spent, or how the availability of federal COVID-recovery funding may impact BCPS? Read on, and feel free to share!
What will the bond cover?
This bond measure is another step in our transformation journey as a district, with more to come in the future. Based on feedback from the community, the bond measure will fund the transformation of Northwestern Middle School into an arts-focused K-8 building and continue to shape Springfield into a service-learning school, where students learn the value of community. The bond measure will provide:
At Northwestern:
- Northwestern will become a K–8 visual and performing arts academy.
- The school experience will be transformed, fostering learning, exploration and personal growth through engagement in visual and performing arts.
- Extensive renovations to Northwestern Middle School will include new building additions for visual and performing arts studio and performance space, a new welcome center, new kindergarten wing, new windows, doors and complete HVAC upgrades with an addition of air conditioning for summer learning.
At Springfield:
- Springfield will continue its transformation into a service learning school, providing a high-quality education that will help students create stronger connections with their community, develop communication and problem-solving skills and promote empathy.
- Springfield Middle School building improvements will include safety upgrades, new energy efficient windows and doors and extensive upgrades to its HVAC system including air conditioning.
Why is BCPS requesting a bond?
In continuation of an equity-driven district transformation, which began four years ago, the BCPS bond measure is the next step in our strategy of bold, comprehensive changes to ensure that every student succeeds.
Since we began this transformation process, we have accomplished so much.
BCPS families now have a wealth of options for their students depending on their interests and talents as they progress through our school system. And now, based on feedback from the community, we want to continue adding to that by transforming Northwestern into an arts-focused K-8 building and continuing to shape Springfield into a service-learning school, where students learn the value of community.
We believe this bond measure will be transformative for our middle schools and the district and community as a whole.
How much will the bond cost taxpayers?
The bond in total is a $44.8 million bond measure. If the measure passes, approximately $32.4 million will go toward funding Northwestern renovations and additions to transform into a K-8 visual & performing arts academy and approximately $12.4 million will go toward funding Springfield renovations.
For every $1,000 of Home Taxable Value, it would cost $1.51 per year, or less than $6.50/month for a family with a $100,000 home. BCPS residents would maintain the lowest millage rates of any neighboring district.
What will American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal stimulus money be used for?
COVID-19 recovery funding is much-needed to help offset the harms of the pandemic and will not be used for other broader improvement plans. It will not impact outstanding needs in other areas, such as ongoing transformation of the BCPS school experience or physical investments in our buildings.
Why is a bond needed in addition to federal stimulus dollars?
The BCPS Middle School transformation bond measure, which is on the ballot in the May 4th election, will focus on making investments in the school experience and physical spaces at Northwestern and Springfield middle schools. We do not anticipate using any of the federal funding we receive through ARPA towards these changes.
While ARPA funds will help us meet every student where they are and move them forward, our bond measure would open up funds to help move us into the next phase of our five-year district transformation, with more to come in the future.