Board Approves Bond Offering for November Election
Mason Public Schools (MPS) is committed to creating safe, modern learning spaces that match the high-quality education our students receive.
The MPS Board of Education (BOE) voted to place a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond would generate an estimated $66 million without raising the current tax rate for Mason homeowners.
More information about the proposed bond can be found in this informational brochure.
Priority Needs Projects
If approved, the bond would fund three priority needs projects. Learn more about planned updates and improvements in each of these projects.
High School Auditorium
High School Renovations
33% of Bond*
Our high school facilities require updates to better serve students and the broader school community. These improvements are aimed at cultivating a creative, engaging and efficient environment for our entire school community. Key projects at the high school include
- An overhaul of the existing auditorium
- A renovation including performance spaces, technical improvements, and updates to classroom spaces to support student performance, creativity and community events
- Updates to HVAC systems
- Build on the progress of the 2017 bond by completing HVAC system updates to create improved student environments and modernized facilities
- Updates to student spaces
- Renovations to improve and modernize student environments to support learning and growth
*Approximate bond dollar allocations per the School Bond Committee recommendation to the Board of Education
High School Auditorium Overview
Auditorium Virtual Tour
The Mason High School auditorium is home to student performances, concerts, recognition ceremonies and community events. In the community survey conducted earlier this year, 74% of respondents said they support major renovations and improvements to the high school auditorium and performing arts spaces.
If approved, the proposed 2025 bond would fund renovations to the auditorium, creating an updated and modern facility where students and community members can shine.
Mason Middle School
Extensive Middle School Renovations
51% of Bond*
As our middle school building continues to age, it presents growing challenges for both students and staff. If approved, the 2025 bond proposal would enable us to make priority upgrades to directly impact learning and safety. Together, these improvements would create a more functional, welcoming and efficient environment for our entire school community.
Key projects at the middle school include:
- Major renovations to student spaces
- Updates to classrooms and shared learning spaces to support collaboration, creativity and flexible instruction
- Improved use and re-purposing of current common spaces to enhance student environments and support learning
- Upgrades to HVAC & plumbing needs
- Build on the progress of the 2017 bond by completing upgrades to HVAC and plumbing systems to create improved student environments and modernized facilities
- Improved public access & traffic flow
- Update driveways and parking areas to improve traffic flow, safety and efficiency for buses and families
*Approximate bond dollar allocations per the School Bond Committee recommendation to the Board of Education
Mason Middle School Overview
Mason Middle School Virtual Tour
Transportation Facility
New Transportation Facility
16% of Bond*
The Mason Public Schools district spans more than 108,000 square miles, and nearly 50% of our students rely on bus transportation, not only for their daily commutes but also for various events and field trips. This presents significant challenges in providing sufficient space for our transportation and maintenance staff and our fleet of over 20 buses. If the 2025 bond is approved, we will have the opportunity to create safer working environments for our staff, increase their capacity, and improve our daily operations and overall efficiency.
- Increase safety & security
- Replace our building with a modern facility that better protects staff, vehicles and equipment
- Expand capacity
- Create more space to accommodate transportation demands and future needs
- Enhance efficiency & operations
- Make upgrades to streamline maintenance and day-to-day operations while increasing safety for mechanics
*Approximate bond dollar allocations per the School Bond Committee recommendation to the Board of Education
Transportation Facility Overview
Transportation Virtual Tour
Understanding the Ballot Language
In order to help voters understand the bond proposal which will appear on the November 4, 2025, ballot, the district has prepared a guide to Understanding the Bond Ballot Proposal. More information about voter registration information is available on the Michigan Voter Information website.
Able Eyes Virtual Tours
Take Able Eyes Virtual Tours of Mason Middle School, the Mason High School Auditorium and the Transportation Facility to see the areas identified as top priorities by our community survey and the Bond Steering Committee.
If approved, the $66 million bond would fund improvements to these three key projects.
Mason Middle School
Mason High School Auditorium
Transportation Facility
View virtual tours of buildings updated during the 2017 bond using the links below.
Alaiedon Elementary
Harvey Education Center
North Aurelius Elementary
Steele Elementary
Special thanks to Able Eyes for producing these virtual tours.
2025 District Needs Survey Results
2025 District Needs Survey Results
Earlier this year, Mason Public Schools (MPS) invited the community to share their input through a districtwide survey. The survey helped identify priority needs based on the feedback from more than 1,000 residents.
The survey was shared with MPS families and staff, was presented to local civic organizations, and promoted through newsletters and on social media. Respondents shared insights about the condition of district buildings, the impact of the 2017 bond and future facility needs.
Key survey results found:
- 62% of respondents reported the 2017 bond was “a success”
- 74% of respondents support major renovations to the Mason High School auditorium
- 65% of respondents “strongly supported” or “supported” the proposed bond offering that would allow for significant improvements at Mason Middle School and improvements to the high school auditorium while not raising the current tax level
Complete Survey Results
Question 1: Are you a homeowner in the district?
- Yes: 81%
- No: 19%
Question 2: What age bracket are you in?
- 18-24: 1%
- 25-34: 12%
- 35-44: 37%
- 45-54: 27%
- 55-64: 10%
- 65-74: 9%
- 75+: 3%
- Under 18: 1%
Question 3: If you have children/grandchildren (or are a student) in the district, which school(s) do they attend? Select all that apply.
- Mason High School: 23%
- Mason Middle School: 19%
- James C. Harvey Education Center: 13%
- Steele Elementary School: 10%
- North Aurelius Elementary School: 10%
- Alaiedon Elementary School: 8%
- None of the above: 17%
Question 4: How do you (and members of your household) learn about the MPS programs, activates and facilities? Select all that apply.
- Social Media: 581
- Weekly email blasts: 503
- Friends and family: 426
- MPS documents received by mail: 389
- MPS website: 334
- Newsletters: 217
- Flyers displayed in schools: 90
- Large display signs in schools: 81
- Television: 38
- Other: "staff, my kids, teachers, service clubs, I work in the district"
Question 5: Please rate your level of satisfaction with our current buildings and facilities:
| Building | Excellent | Good | Fair | Needs Improvement | Poor | N/A |
| Elementary Schools | 37% | 40% | 5% | 3% | 0% | 15% |
| Middle School | 8% | 28% | 17% | 16% | 6% | 25% |
| High School | 8% | 28% | 17% | 18% | 5% | 24% |
| High School Performing Arts | 6% | 24% | 15% | 20% | 9% | 25% |
| High School Athletic Facilities | 18% | 39% | 12% | 8% | 2% | 20% |
| STEM labs, lab spaces | 10% | 24% | 10% | 7% | 2% | 48% |
Question 6: Are you a registered voter?
- Yes 98%
- No: 2%
Question 7: Did you support the 2017 Bond program?
- Yes 65%
- No: 11%
- None of the above: 24%
Question 8: Do you feel the 2017 Bond program was a success?
- Yes: 62%
- No: 13%
- None of the above: 25%
Question 9: If no, please indicate the reason why.
- Not enough information to make an informed decision: 34%
- Perceived to be too much money: 16%
- Other: 51%
Question 10: Where do you feel bond dollars should be focused on for a future Bond program?
- Significant improvements at the Middle School: 6%
- Significant improvements at the High School: 10%
- A combination of both: 71%
- None of the above: 13%
Question 11: Please rank the following options for investing at the Middle School (first being most preferred, last being least preferred):
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| The most affordable option | 408 | 259 | 232 |
| Improving existing schools (renovations and additions) | 359 | 486 | 54 |
| Constructing new school | 132 | 154 | 613 |
Question 12: Would you support major renovations and improvements to the High School performing arts/auditorium?
- Yes: 74%
- No: 26%
Question 13: Would you support potentially upgrading our athletic fields to synthetic turf?
- Yes: 37%
- No: 63%
Question 14: How likely would you be to support the following strategies:
Option 1: MPS has the opportunity to issue a new school bond (pending voter approval) that would raise enough money to do significant improvements at our Middle School and limited improvements to our High School, specifically to the performing arts auditorium. These needed funds could be levied at current millage levels without raising the community’s current tax level.
| Strongly Support | Support | Neutral | Oppose | Strongly Oppose | Total |
| 35% | 30% | 16% | 9% | 9% | 100% |
| 311 | 265 | 143 | 77 | 83 | 879 |
Option 2: Propose a millage increase in line with other neighboring districts. This would allow us to expand upon Option #01 (above) and include significant renovations at the High School, as well as some of our athletic facilities. The impact of this property tax increase would be approximately $11.00 per month per $100,000 of taxable value of your home.
| Strongly Support | Support | Neutral | Oppose | Strongly Oppose | Total |
| 26% | 22% | 21% | 14% | 16% | 100% |
| 231 | 195 | 190 | 127 | 143 | 886 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the proposed bond, how school funding operates and the details of the proposed bond-supported projects in the Frequently Asked Questions.
What proposal is the November 4, 2025, ballot?
Mason Public Schools is placing a zero-tax-rate increase bond proposal on the November 4 ballot. If approved, the bond would generate approximately $66 million without raising the current tax rate of 5.68 mills for Mason homeowners.
Why is Mason Public Schools proposing a bond?
As outlined in the district’s 2023-28 Strategic Plan, the district is actively continuing its commitment to modernize our current facilities and plan for future improvements. Our district has a unique opportunity to continue the improvements needed while remaining fiscally responsible to our community and not raising the current tax rate paid by homeowners.
How is it possible that this is a zero-tax-rate increase (from the existing millage rate)?
Upcoming annual bond payments associated with the November 2017 bond election are scheduled to begin declining. It is then estimated that the existing bond millage rate of 5.68 mills does not need to increase but can be extended to fund new voted bond capital improvements of approximately $66 million if the 2025 bond is approved by voters.
How and why was this plan developed?
The scope of this proposal was developed through various community engagement activities, including a community survey, a town hall session, and small-group informational discussions, to determine priority projects needed in the district. More than 1,000 community members took part in a survey. The results of the survey include:
| Survey Question | Community Response |
| How likely would you support keeping current taxes at 5.68 mills? | Support = 65% Oppose = 18% |
| Would you support improvements to the auditorium? | Yes: 74% No: 26% |
| What’s the best use of future bond dollars? | MMS = 6% MHS = 10% Both = 71% |
| Do you consider the following buildings to be excellent or good? | Elementary = 77% Athletics = 57% STEM = 34% (48% n/a) MMS = 34% Performing Arts = 30% (lowest value) |
| Was the 2017 bond a success? | Yes = 62% No = 13% |
What are the details of the proposed bond and what buildings would be updated if the bond is approved by voters?
The MPS Board of Education (BOE) voted to place a zero-tax-increase bond proposal on November 4, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond would generate an estimated $66 million, depending on future taxable values and projects evaluated by Baker Tilly, the MPS bond financing consultant, without increasing the current tax rate paid by homeowners. The approximate bond percentage allocations and projects presented by the bond steering committee include:
- Extensive Middle School Renovations- make major renovations to student spaces, upgrade HVAC and plumbing needs, and improve public access and traffic flow
- 51% of the bond*
- High School Renovations- overhaul of existing auditorium, update HVAC system and update student spaces
- 33% of the bond*
- New Transportation Facility- increase safety and security, expand capacity, and enhance efficiency and operations
- 16% of the bond*
(* approximate bond dollar allocation per the School Bond Committee recommendations to the Board of Education.)
The new transportation facility is a unique need for our district. As a district that relies heavily on busing, we struggle to provide adequate space for our transportation and maintenance staff, as well as for our vehicles. If the bond passes, we would have the opportunity to provide staff with safer working environments, expand their capacity, and enhance daily operations and efficiency.
What is the anticipated timing for projects in this proposed bond program?
If the bond passes, projects would take place from 2026 to 2033. Construction phases and information would be provided on the district website in future communications.
How would the bond proposal impact students and the community?
The district's goal is to continue providing students, teachers, and staff with modern, safe and secure learning environments. As outlined in the 2023–2028 strategic plan, the district identified four focus areas: 1. Instructional improvement and innovation 2. Student supports 3. Staff recruitment, retention, and development 4. Facilities and infrastructure To achieve our vision and mission, we must continue to uphold high building standards, ensuring that our schools and community remain safe and our students are learning in an environment that prepares them for their future
How does our community's millage rate compare to that of other school districts?
If passed, Mason Public Schools would continue to be one of the lowest millage rates in the area. Please refer to the chart below:
How can bond proceeds be used?
Bond proceeds can be used for the following items:
- Construction and remodeling of facilities
- Purchase of instructional technology equipment
- Equipment and furniture
- Site improvements
- Bus purchases
Bond proceeds cannot be used for the following items:
- Salaries and wages
- General operating expenses and maintenance
- Classroom supplies and textbooks
How is this bond different from the 2017 bond?
The 2017 School Improvement Bond provided significant improvements to all MPS elementary schools, as well as limited improvements to Mason Middle School and Mason High School. This next phase would shift the focus to the priority needs of those two buildings, as well as our transportation facility.
How does the lottery/marijuana tax/etc. generate funds for schools? Do local districts see those dollars directly?
Lottery and marijuana taxes do provide some funding for education, and these revenues are helpful. However, these revenues can’t possibly cover what schools need.Take the lottery: In many states, it was introduced with promises of boosting school budgets, but often, it ends up replacing existing funds rather than adding to them. In Michigan, the funds get placed into the school aid fund, which provides local school districts with annual funding per student (also known as per pupil funding). It also provides funding to colleges and universities, which has increased significantly over the last 10 years. The revenue from both lottery and marijuana sales are helpful, but they are a small percentage of the overall school aid fund. In addition, the school aid fund is used for more than supporting K-12 schools in traditional ways, and it’s rare for a local district to receive a state allocation for facility needs.
What is the difference between a bond and a sinking fund?
A bond is a form of borrowing, which means taxpayers must pay back the borrowed funds over a period of years with interest. A sinking fund millage is levied, not borrowed, which means the revenues are generated from taxes and do not include the district taking on additional debt or interest expenses. A sinking fund is used on a “pay as you go” basis, and all monies collected are utilized directly to benefit the district annually.
How much does the sinking fund bring in, and what is it used for?
Mason Public Schools currently has a sinking fund that was established in 2006 and is set to expire in 2026. This fund generates approximately $850,000 annually. It operates as a "pay as you go" system, allowing the district to make cash purchases for repairs and improvements as needed without incurring debt. The sinking fund is used for various purposes, including repairs to parking lots, roofs, buildings, and athletic facilities.
Where do I register to vote?
To vote in the November 4, 2025, election, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age by Election Day, a resident of Michigan, and a resident of the Mason Public School District. Please visit your local township or city clerk to register to vote or visit any Secretary of State office.
If I am unable to make it to the polls on November 4, what are my options for absentee voting?
All eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absentee ballot. Absentee voter applications are available beginning 40 days before every election, or Thursday, September 25, 2025.
To become an absentee voter, visit:
- www.michigan.gov/vote
- Your township or city clerk’s office
Note: Once election ballots are available in the clerk’s office, you can walk into your clerk’s office, receive an absentee application, fill it out, and immediately be given your ballot to cast your vote.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Please contact Dr. Gary Kinzer by email at kinzerg@masonk12.net or by phone at 517.676.6489 if you have any additional questions regarding the bond proposal.
