Bridgman Public Schools Seeks Bond, Millage Renewal for Infrastructure Upgrades

Voters to consider $21.45 million bond and 10-year operating millage renewal on May 5 ballot

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:00pm

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A bold, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a stylized school building object, rendered in a vibrant neon color palette with heavy black outlines, capturing the concept of infrastructure upgrades for the local school district.Bridgman Public Schools' bond proposal aims to modernize aging facilities and infrastructure across the district.Bridgman Today

Bridgman Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $21.45 million bond to fund infrastructure improvements across its three school buildings, including new roofs, HVAC systems, security updates, and parking lot repairs. The district is also seeking a 10-year renewal of its operating millage, which accounts for 75-80% of its total revenue.

Why it matters

Bridgman's school facilities are aging, with some HVAC and plumbing systems dating back to the 1970s. The bond would allow the district to make critical updates without raising taxes, while the millage renewal is vital to maintaining school operations and programming. Passage of both measures is crucial for Bridgman Public Schools to continue providing quality education to the community.

The details

The $21.45 million bond would pay for infrastructure improvements at Bridgman's three school buildings, including new roofs, HVAC systems, security updates, and parking lot repairs. Superintendent Shane Peters says the district has done a good job maintaining the facilities over the years, but there comes a point when major systems need to be replaced. The bond would not raise taxes, as it would simply extend the current 0.88 mill rate for an additional 12-14 years.

  • The bond and millage renewal will be on the May 5, 2026 ballot.
  • The district is hosting an informational forum on April 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Bridgman High School.

The players

Bridgman Public Schools

A public school district serving the Bridgman, Michigan community.

Shane Peters

Superintendent of Bridgman Public Schools, who is advocating for the bond and millage renewal.

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What they’re saying

“We're talking at all three of our buildings. New roofs, new HVAC systems, some security updates at all three of our buildings. Our parking lots are in grave repair. And, really, it's just infrastructure.”

— Shane Peters, Superintendent

“Really, what we're asking our residents in the Bridgman school district is to extend that .88 for an additional 12-14 years. And as that gets extended, that would give us that $21.4 million to work on really some infrastructure projects.”

— Shane Peters, Superintendent

“With Bridgman's unique funding structure, this is like 75 to 80% of our total revenue that the district receives. So this millage renewal is one that is of vital importance to the district in passage.”

— Shane Peters, Superintendent

What’s next

Voters in the Bridgman Public Schools district will have the opportunity to approve the $21.45 million bond and 10-year operating millage renewal on the May 5, 2026 ballot.

The takeaway

Bridgman Public Schools is taking proactive steps to address aging infrastructure and maintain critical funding for school operations. By seeking voter approval for a bond and millage renewal, the district is demonstrating its commitment to providing quality educational facilities and programs for the community.