Creating quality learning environments from early childhood through high school

The client: Van Buren Public Schools

Van Buren Public Schools (VBPS) is a 4,600-student school district in Belleville, Mich., and long-time client of Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR).

First engagement with PMR saves school district $30 million on bond projects

VBPS first engaged PMR for pre-bond planning and program management services after previous failed bond elections to construct a new high school.

PMR reconceived the bond proposal in 2008, working to understand and integrate the needs of the community and the school board. The bond passed, resulting in an award of $79 million for capital investments in the district, including construction of a new high school and updates to other aging educational facilities. PMR’s ability to assist the district in obtaining federal funding for the project saved VBPS an estimated $12 million in interest payments alone.

Guided by the district’s educational goals and objectives and PMR’s student demographic analysis, PMR worked with the architect to right-size the high school in a new plan that reduced overall square footage by 20,000 square feet. The $4 million saved by reducing the space was used to invest in better building materials and technology upgrades that could help cultivate long-term savings on operational costs and upkeep.

Additionally, PMR reviewed the original construction schedule and identified phasing considerations that reduced the construction time frame from 48 to 36 months, saving the district $1.4 million and permitting VBPS students to benefit from a brand new 366,000-square-foot high school a full year ahead of schedule. Other bond projects included renovations to the gymnasium, pool, athletic field, track, and tennis courts at other existing schools in the district.

25+ years of successful collaboration continues

After the work funded by the 2008 bond was completed in 2012, PMR worked with VBPS on planning and implementing its sinking fund projects passed by voters in 2014. The $7 million seven-year sinking fund encompassed high-priority needs for each school each year, including building control upgrades, site improvements, building demolitions, boiler replacements, building lighting upgrades, security enhancements, and other maintenance or building upgrade items.

PMR then continued its work with the district to help plan and implement the district’s next bond program — a $35 million bond passed in 2019. This bond focused on the construction of a new early childhood learning center as well as infrastructure, instructional updates, and improvements at different school facilities. The Early Childhood Center (ECC) was completed in 2022 and has since served hundreds of children from infants to age five. 

The ECC proved very popular with local families and quickly reached its student capacity, prompting the district to include funding for its expansion in a 2025 bond proposal. Voters again invested in this important educational resource by approving the bond.

PMR is currently facilitating conversations with the school district, architect/engineer, and construction manager on design concepts for the expansion that meet the ECC’s needs and budget. Early plans include additional classrooms and a cafeteria/multiuse space.