Long-Term Facility Master Plan 2026

Dear Holly Area Schools Families and Residents,

Thank you for your continued support of Holly Area Schools. Our schools have long been a cornerstone of the Holly community, and a strong school system plays an essential role in the success, growth, and vitality of our area.

Holly Area Schools uses a Long-Term Facilities Master Plan as a roadmap to ensure our buildings remain safe, secure, and effective learning environments for students—both today and well into the future. This thoughtful planning process has guided responsible investments over time. In 2016, the district began its most recent phase of long-term facilities planning, which led to a $38 million “no tax rate increase” bond approved by voters in 2018. In 2021, the plan was updated again, preparing the district for the $98 million “no tax rate increase” bond approved in 2022.

Thanks to the generosity and trust of our community, these successful bond initiatives allowed the district to address important facility needs and expand educational opportunities for students across Holly Area Schools. Our commitment to students, staff, and families remains strong. The Long-Term Facilities Master Plan continues to be a critical priority as we work to ensure our schools are equipped with modern safety and security enhancements, aging infrastructure is updated, and learning environments prepare students for future success and rewarding careers.

As facilities age, enrollment patterns shift, and educational needs evolve, the master plan is regularly updated to ensure investments remain responsive, responsible, and aligned with both student and community needs. Over the past four years, Holly Area Schools has experienced consistent enrollment growth—something we are proud of and an important factor in long-range planning.

The district is now updating its Long-Term Facilities Master Plan once again. This work builds on the success of previous bond investments, including the state-of-the-art Holly Middle School, the award-winning Construction Trades Center, and the soon-to-open Holly Community Enrichment Center at the Sherman Campus.

As part of this process, Holly Area Schools is exploring a potential November 2026 bond proposal designed to address key facility needs and enhancements with no tax rate increase. While many school districts across the state have pursued bond proposals that are significantly larger—often double or triple the size of recent requests—Holly Area Schools has remained measured and intentional. By following a long-term planning approach, the district continues to address needs responsibly without increasing the tax burden on our community.

In addition, the district has taken proactive steps to save taxpayers millions of dollars by strategically refinancing and paying down outstanding bond debt. Most recently, S&P Global Ratings assigned Holly Area Schools an ‘A+’ underlying rating and an ‘AA’ enhanced long-term rating, reflecting a strong track record of sound financial management and positive operating performance over the past decade.

This next phase of the Long-Term Facilities Master Plan would focus on priorities such as:

• Addressing aging infrastructure and facility improvements
• Accommodating continued enrollment growth
• Enhancing learning environments and educational programs

Your input is a vital part of this process. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective and help shape the future of Holly Area Schools.

Sincerely,

Scott M. Roper
Superintendent