GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) has proposed a plan to build a new elementary school on the northeast side of town. The district’s board of education will vote on the proposal on Monday, March 18.
If the $35 million project goes through, it would be the first new school the district has built on the northeast side of town since 1965. One GRPS parent said she doesn’t agree with the district’s proposal.
“If they go through with that new school with a $30 million plan, I don't know if my kids are going to be going to GRPS anymore,” Stephanie Easterday said.
The vote follows a month-long feedback session where more than 200 parents, students and staff gave their input on the district’s proposal to build a new elementary school behind Aberdeen Academy.
“We really think this is a huge opportunity for our families on the northeast side at the Aberdeen site and that's a wonderful school community and location,” GRPS executive director of communications and external affairs Leon Hendrix said. That building there is almost 100 years old, well over 90 years old and we've really felt like after examining the area it was time to consider a new build elementary school.”
Easterday’s children attend GRPS, and she said she doesn’t think the district’s plan is a good idea or one that will benefit her children.
“They want to close down 10 schools to merge them which there will be even more overpopulated and underfunded just to save millions of dollars but then they want to build a brand new school when they just closed down 10 schools,” Easterday said. "It doesn't make any sense.”
GRPS said the proposal was made after parents expressed concerns about the initial recommendation which called for Aberdeen Academy and Palmer Elementary students to move to a renovated space at North Park. However, parents complained it was too far away and the location at Aberdeen would be better.
“Our focus on this project is going to be creating a space where our scholars can be safe, successful and ready to learn and in a place that is made for them and by them,” Hendrix said. "They will be a part of the conversation as we talk about what this space will look like.”
Easterday said the district should use the funds for other purposes she thinks will have a more far-reaching benefit to students.
“They want to save millions but what were they planning on doing?" Easterday said, "They should be reinvesting it into the schools that are already open like transfers for transportation, healthier lunches and after school programs.”
If approved, the new school will be built behind the existing Aberdeen Academy which would be demolished after construction is complete. Work should be done by 2027 and would replace Palmer Elementary and Aberdeen Academy.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.
