Hastings educators are sounding the alarm ahead of the November 3 ballot vote on a $24.8 million school bond that would fund critical classroom renovations across the Hastings Area School System. World‑history teacher Greer Putnam and Principal Clayton Powell say the district’s facilities, many built in the 1970s, are no longer conducive to effective teaching or student safety.
Classroom conditions hinder learning
Putnam describes the daily reality of teaching on chairs with holes and backs that snag students’ hair. “Some of my chairs have holes in them,” she said, adding that she has had to pull desks and chairs from other schools and even bring her own desk from home to keep her classroom functional.
Beyond wear and tear, the outdated tables and chairs make collaborative projects difficult. “When you want to do lesson plans that involve student engagement or group work, these tables and chairs become problematic,” Putnam explained. She envisions a classroom where students can move freely between group projects and independent work, a hallmark of 21st‑century education.
Sound‑proofing and safety concerns
Principal Powell echoed the teachers’ concerns, noting that many classrooms have not been updated since the building’s construction in the 1970s. He highlighted the thin partition walls that allow sound to travel between rooms, disrupting lessons and making it harder for teachers to maintain a focused learning environment.
Powell also stressed the importance of safety upgrades included in the bond proposal, such as secure entrance improvements, security window film, upgraded public‑address systems and modern fire‑alarm equipment. “We want to make sure when they walk through these doors that they feel safe, they feel secure,” he said.
Bond details and fiscal impact
The bond measure would modernize high‑school classrooms for core academic subjects and improve career‑technical education spaces at both the high school and middle school. While the proposal includes a modest portion for safety and security upgrades, the district projects that the bond will not increase the current bond millage rate. Voters should note that this refers to the tax rate, not a guarantee that any individual property tax bill will stay unchanged.
Powell reminded the community that a previous bond funded upgrades to bathrooms, locker rooms, the athletics commons and the media center, but classroom needs remain unmet.
Community response and voting information
Despite the challenges, Putnam praised the creativity of teachers who continue to adapt to the limited resources. “Educators are very creative individuals and really need to do what they can to make it work for themselves,” she said.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 3. Voters can review a full project overview on the district’s bond proposal webpage. The outcome will directly affect the learning environment for roughly 700 students who use the high‑school building each day.
Why the bond matters for families
For parents who value a strong educational foundation for their children, the bond offers a concrete step toward restoring functional, safe, and modern classrooms. Upgraded facilities support the district’s mission to prepare students for higher education, skilled trades and responsible citizenship.
As the community heads to the polls, educators urge residents to consider the long‑term benefits of investing in the schools that shape the next generation.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
