Budget and Salary-Compensation Transparency Reporting
 

Vestaburg Community School

The Vision of Vestaburg Community School is to empower all to create and achieve their goals and dreams

 

Wolverine News

On behalf of the Vestaburg Board of Education, I am writing to inform you of an upcoming bond proposal. As a result of the 2009 bond, we were able to update and add to many of our facilities, which have provided a richer educational experience for our students. As part of our responsibility to our students and our community, the district is committed to being good stewards of the resources we have been so generously provided. With this commitment in mind, on November 6, 2018 voters in the Vestaburg Community School district will be asked to vote on a bond proposal to continue addressing our facility needs.

Bond Overview

A school bond election is a bond issue used by a public school district to finance a building project or other capital project. These measures are placed on the ballot by district school boards to be approved or defeated by the voting public. The bond funds can only be used for the purposes expressed on the ballot.

The upcoming proposal comes as the result of many years of hard work by the Board of Education and staff creating a long-term strategic plan identifying current and future needs of district facilities. Upon reviewing the results of our survey, it has been decided to address immediate, essential needs for our schools. Therefore, the Board of Education is asking voters whether or not to increase 1.6 mills that would generate approximately $2,180,000 to pay for these district needs.

Facility Improvement Scope:

The bond will pay for the following needed improvements across the district:

·        Roof Replacement - Most of the facility’s roof is beyond its life expectancy and needs repair and/or replacement to resolve current leaking issues. Additionally, the most recently updated sections are nearing their 10 to 15-year warranty expiration and will need to be updated in the next five (5) to 10 years. After a cost analysis, it has been concluded that it is most effective to support an extended warrantied roof that will serve the facility for the next 40 or more years.

·         Upgraded Transportation - Currently, we have a fleet of eight (8) buses that are in use daily, with the newest addition in 2008 and reaching the end of their useful life period. The bond funds would be used to purchase up to four (4) new school buses to update our fleet.

·         Upgraded High School Gymnasium Bleachers - The current bleachers are the original wood, which is degrading thus requiring us to replace several boards each year costing hundreds per board. Additionally, they are not up to the current American with Disabilities Act standards.

·         Additional – If funds permit, updates may be made to the bathrooms and classrooms in the older sections of our building.

Tax Impact:

As many of you are aware, school funding is always an issue. Not every district is funded at the same level, nor are all communities blessed with the same level of resources. Some schools are funded at a higher per student rate than others, and the funding generated through taxes is dependent on the size and structure of the district.

If approved by voters, the upcoming district’s bond will create an expected annual increase of $1.60 to each $1,000 of your home’s taxable value. See tax impact formula below:

Home Taxable Value / 1000  X  1.6  = Annual Increase


Example for $100,000 home value:

$50,000 taxable value/1000 X 1.6 = $80.00/year or $6.60 a month.


In the coming weeks, I will communicate more information on behalf of the school district related to the specifics of the bond proposal. We want to make sure everyone understands the needs and the financial impact of meeting those needs. We welcome you to stay tuned for further information on the upcoming bond, welcome your comments and questions and look forward to you voting this November.

Sincerely,

Brandon Hubbard
Superintendent

U.S. News and World Report

Bronze Medal

Vestaburg Community High School is recognized in the National Rankings and earned a bronze medal. Schools are ranked based on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for college.   Congratulations!  This is the 3rd time VHS has recieved this recognition.

Welcome Back!

Summer is winding down and hopefully, everyone is excited and getting ready for a new school year!.  The new year brings new opportunities and a new beginning for each and every one of our students.  As we start the new year, we continue to look forward and are committed to making Vestaburg School the best it can be.  It is a goal at all levels of our school district to invite and participate in meaningful two-way collaboration and communications with all of our stakeholders including, students, parents, staff, and community members and organizations.  Some of you may have heard it said that our school is our community and our community is our school.  It is critical that we are strong team and support each other in order for both the community and the school to grow and thrive.  Neither one can maximize its potential without the other.  Thus, we will continue to seek input from all and to look for ways to increase opportunities for input and collaboration. 

The new year has already brought with it many new faces and changes.  First, Mrs. Weaver has left the district for a new opportunity.  We thank her and wish her the best in her new endeavors.  However, it is with great pleasure and excitement that we are happy to announce that Mrs. Emily Groulx will be taking over as the Elementary (K-6) Principal.  Mrs. Groulx has been working in Vestaburg Schools for the past two school years as a Teacher Consultant and Special Education Director.  She will continue to serve as our Special Education Director in addition to her new role.  We are happy to have her and confident that she will continue the great work that Mrs. Weaver has done and push our students and district forward!  In addition, as part of the transition I, Mr. Hubbard, will be serving as the Interim Middle/High School Principal to start the year and/or until we can hire a Middle/High School Principal. We will also be welcoming several new staff members for the upcoming school year. As always, we are dedicated to helping all of our students succeed and we will continue to work together attacking any challenges that may arise.  

We look forward to seeing everyone next week at the openhouse and the first day of school and working together to make the 2018-2019 school the best yet!  We ARE Vestaburg! 

Free Lunch and Breakfast for All Students

Vestaburg Community Schools is proud to announce that we are going to be participating in a program called Community Eligibility Provision provided by the Michigan Department of Education and the National School Lunch Program. As a result, ALL STUDENTS will receive a Free Breakfast and Lunch. There is no application to qualify. 


Again, The GREAT NEWS is that ALL students enrolled at our school are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at NO CHARGE to your household each day of the 2018-2019 school year. We are very proud to offer this opportunity to our students and community!

However, we will be asking and requiring that you fill out and sign the Application for Title I and 31A Educational Benefits, which is needed for administrative purposes, not to determine eligibility. This application allows our school to benefit from various State and Federal supplemental programs like Title I A, At Risk (31a), Title II A, E- Rate, etc. This application is critical in determining the amount of money the school receives from a variety of supplemental programs.


Dates to Remember:

Open-House - August 20th, from 4:00-6:00 pm.
First day of School - August 21st.  Students released at 11:00 am.

K - 12th Grade Open House
Monday, August 20th
4PM - 6PM

Today is the beginning of our Sponsor A Classroom Program and we need you! This program is only electronic. Please share our social media and emails. 

To recap the program: 

Again, this year we are partnering with local businesses, organizations, and individuals with the goal of sponsoring each and every elementary school k-3 classroom in both Montcalm and Ionia Counties to help teachers obtain supplies they may need - whatever they may need. A sponsorship of $100 helps to provide items that will assist our local teachers as they enhance their classrooms to create a strong learning environment for our children. I am asking for you to consider giving to this program. 

·  $100 - Full Sponsorship for 1 Classroom

·  $50 - A Half Sponsorship

·  $25 - A Quarter Sponsorship 

·  Or of course any other amount would be greatly appreciated

Last year we were able to sponsor every Kdg-3Rd grade classroom. Can we add 4th grade this year too? That is up to you!  

Donate online: http://www.liveunitedm-i.org/classroom, we can email an invoice, or mail a check PO Box 87, Fenwick MI 48834. Please reference Sponsor a Classroom in the memo section of the check.

Remember your donation is tax deductible and stays local! Great things happen when we LIVE UNITED! 

School of Choice: Anyone interested in enrolling their child at Vestaburg Community School or our Virtual School please contact us at 989-268-5353.

School of Choice window is open now until 3:00 pm, August 24, 2018.

4 Person Scramble
Date: September 16th 2018
Course: The Fields Golf Course - Ithica, MI
Time: 8:30 AM Shotgun Start
8:00 Registration
Cost: $200 Per Team - $50 Per Player

Flyer

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative. We believe that students should see their nation’s capital up close, learn about the political process and interact with their elected officials. Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their Representative and Senators.

Youth Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid leadership travel opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors (going into their junior or senior year this summer), sponsored by Michigan’s electric cooperatives.

From the battlefields of Gettysburg, to the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., Youth Tour will explore the leadership lessons of our nation’s history and immerse them in the cooperative spirit.

http://www.cooperativeyouthtour.com/

https://www.electric.coop/our-organization/youth-programs/about-the-youth-tour/

The Vestaburg Community School Board of Education recently approved a District Strategic Plan to help guide our decisions as we move forward to provide the best educational opportunities for the community’s children.  This plan identifies our Mission (why we exist), our Core Beliefs (how we serve), and our identity (who we are). As part of this plan, the condition of our facilities was identified as a priority. While there are many items that need to be addressed, the school roof, the indoor bleachers, and our bus fleet have been identified as areas of priority.  Thus, the plan includes the need to again explore a bond or millage proposal.

This past fall the Vestaburg Board of Education put a millage proposal before the community.  The proposal was for a Sinking Fund Millage to help maintain our facilities. The millage was voted down. The Board heard the community and has been evaluating future proposals.  It is with this in mind that, we are seeking input from you, the voters, and ask that you please take a few moments to complete a survey by May 30, 2018.  The intent of the survey is to inform our community regarding the facility needs and to gain feedback from you regarding current facilities, operations, and programming.  Your input is valued and very important to the process. 

Please feel free to contact Central Office at 989-268-5353 at any time with questions.  Thank you in advance for your time and helping to plan for the future of Vestaburg Community School.

Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Top 10

It is with great pleasure and pride that Vestaburg High School announces its Top Ten for the Graduating Class of 2018. 
 
This year the high school will be honoring Co-Valedictorians, Lauren Dove and Seth Stratton.  Lauren and Seth have both earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages while participating in a demanding college prep curriculum, as well as, several extracurricular activities. Lauren is the daughter of Ryan and Emily Dove.  Seth is is the son of Scott and Jennifer Stratton.
 
This year’s Salutatorian is Kelsey Jourdan.  Kelsey has also participated in a rigorous college prep curriculum while participating in several extracurricular activities earning a 3.75 grade point average. Kelsey is the daughter of  Greg and Janice Jourdan..
 

Co Valedictorians:  Lauren Dove (4.0) and Seth Stratton (4.0)

Lauren Dove and Seth Stratton - Co-Valedictorians

Salutatorian:  Kelsey Jourdan (3.75)
Top Ten:
       1. Lauren Dove; Seth Stratton
       3.    Kelsey Jourdan
       4.    Ezra Johnston
       5.    Sadie Fockler
       6.    Madison Marshall
       7.     Thomas Patton
       8.      Noah Johnston
       9.      Emily Schmieder
      10.     Kelsey Hale

Members of the Richland Township Fire Department toured Vestaburg Community Schools.  Led by fire chief, Cal Callison, the goal of the walk through was to learn more about the recently added safety features, to familiarize the volunteer firemen with the layout of the school, and to make suggestions for improvements to the school.

School Security

 Vestaburg Community School continues to upgrade security procedures, as well as, the physical components of school safety.  Over the past two school years, Vestaburg has contracted with a school security expert, Sgt. Gary Valentine, to evaluate the security of the campus and the school’s security procedures.  This is an on-going process that continues to lead to improved procedures and security upgrades.  In the past year alone, Vestaburg has added several security upgrades including, video surveillance, a “Boot” door blockade in every classroom and office, emergency Rapid Response Room Number Placards, and are in the process of installing Ballistic Shields in glassed areas and doorways.  In addition, as part of our program, we will be installing a blue tooth notification system that will cover the entire district and allow for immediate district notification of an employed “Boot” and location of the possible disturbance. As result, Vestaburg Community School will be one of the first three schools in Michigan to install this technology. 

In February of 2017, the school did an adopt a door campaign and the community really stepped up and raised over $20,000 in a month that paid for the installation and purchase of the “boot” product in each classroom. This year the Placards and the Ballistic Shields have been and/or are in the process of being installed.  While, we will always look for ways to continue to improve the safety of our students and staff, we are very proud of the work and advancements that we have made.  Our Board of Education and administrative staff have made a commitment to making our buildings as safe as possible.  While we hope these upgrades are never needed to be used, we want our building and procedures to be ready and in place.  The safety of our school is our number one priority!

Respectfully,

Brandon Hubbard
Superintendent
Vestaburg Community School.

The Boot:

The Boot™ is a rectangular-shaped plate of 1/4 inch thick cold-rolled industrial steel. Each of its two steel pegs offer 8,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of tensile strength - totaling 16,000 psi when both pegs are fully engaged. The Boot™ weighs five pounds, offering tremendous strength to prevent entry from danger on the other side of your door.

Ballistic Shields: 

Our Ballistic Shield is far more than just a sheet of metal. Made from specially designed and tested aluminum, it is nearly impenetrable when installed over key areas on doors and windows. The unique material limits expansion caused by a fired bullet and creates razor sharp edges at the point of penetration. This combination assures that the shooter will sustain major injury while attempting to open the door. With a Ballistic Shield in place, the time a shooter spends using up ammunition attempting entry gives your students and staff time to barricade themselves in rooms secured by The Boot™.

Rapid Response Room Number Placards:

Unlike traditional placards, Rapid Response placards are reflective, 3D and visible regardless of hall length. This assures an immediate response whether advising a parent, student, visitor or tactical team of a room number.

Response time greatly increases if law enforcement must slow down or stop at every door to check the room number. The Rapid Response Room Number Placards make this unnecessary. The highly reflective, large numbers direct officers to the exact location without slowing down, giving them more time to plan, prepare and execute.

School Safety: Vestaburg Community Schools has contracted with a school security and safety expert. As a result, we will continue to update and improve our safety procedures. A big part of this process is holding drills to practice and evaluate our procedures. As we work through the year we will be conducting unannounced drills designed to provide us with real-life like practice opportunities. As parents, it is important that you talk to your children about the importance of following all directions and staying calm. In addition, for younger children it is important to help them process the drills after they occur. We appreciate your support and patience as we continue to work hard to provide a safe environment for all our students.

Vestaburg Community School is looking for Bus Drivers.  Anyone interested please contact Central Office for more details.  Applicants do not need certification to apply.  The school district will work with and help interested parties obtain the necessary training and certifications.

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Vestaburg Community School - 7188 Ave B - Vestaburg, MI 48891
Middle / High School - Ph. 989.268.5343 - Fx. 989.268.5898
Elementary School -  Ph. 989.268.5284 - Fx. 989.268.5898
Central Office - Ph. 989.268.5353 - Fx. 989.268.5246