North Central Area Schools is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads. With the help of a $15.4 million State of Michigan Internal Consolidation Grant—covering nearly 60% of the cost—NCA has the opportunity to consolidate from two buildings into one modern, efficient campus.
The NCA Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution asking voters to consider a $10.3 million bond that, together with the grant, would consolidate operations from two buildings to one to create a state-of-the-art learning environment. This investment will allow the District to shift resources away from maintaining aging facilities and focus more on instructional excellence and student support.
Thanks to the District’s pursuit of additional funding sources, this investment would secure the long-term stability of our district while alleviating the financial burden on our taxpayers. The District’s Section 12d Internal Consolidation Grant award will cover nearly 60% of the total project cost.
NCA is looking to the future and asking the community to support an investment to create a unified learning environment that supports collaboration and innovation for today’s students and future Jets.
The Needs
Major areas of need at both of North Central Area’s buildings were identified during both the 2021 facilities assessment (conducted by the District and IDI) and the state-funded 2024 facilities assessment.
Over $26 million of needs were identified between the two buildings; these needs would make the two buildings usable and ADA compliant in their current configuration, but would not update the spaces for current and future educational adequacy.
The Solution
The November 4, 2025 bond proposal will ask voters to authorize up to $10.3 million to consolidate operations from two buildings to one state-of-the-art building that will:
- Create modern classrooms
- Upgrade security systems
- Integrate cutting-edge technology
- Secure the long-term stability of our district
This consolidation is a transformative opportunity for students, staff, and the broader community.
Section 12d Internal Consolidation Grant
Following an unsuccessful sinking fund bond in 2024, the Board of Education and District administration applied for a Section 12d consolidation grant from the state of Michigan in November 2024. The district’s facilities needs are not going away, but without additional funding, NCA’s annual budget will not cover the $26 million to bring the buildings back to a usable state.
In March 2025, NCA was notified that we had been selected as one of only three school districts in the state of Michigan to receive funding through the Section 12d Consolidation grant. North Central had requested funding up to $25 million to move operations over to the Junior/Senior High School building in Powers, but were not awarded the full amount. The District is grateful for the $15.4 million from the grant, but in order to consolidate the two school buildings for our PreK-12th grade learners, the District needs the taxpayers’ help and support.
The $15.4 million grant funds need to be used to consolidate operations from two school buildings to one; these funds need to be utilized for a consolidation project by 2028.
This funding provides the students, staff, and community of North Central Area Schools with a transformative opportunity to establish a school building for current and future Jets.
One Building – One Mission – One Future
Preliminary Site Plan
The final designs will be developed through stakeholder engagement pending a successful bond.
The plan includes:
- Prioritized capital maintenance improvements
- Classroom renovations to accommodate space needs for PreK – 12th grade students
- Targeted general classroom updates
- Modern amenities that support innovative teaching and learning
- Integrating cutting-edge technology
- Acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, and equipment
Millage Impact
The $10.3M bond can be approved with less of an annual tax burden to NCA taxpayers because the District applied for, and received, a $15.4M Section 12d Internal Consolidation Grand from the Michigan Department of Education. Nearly 60% of the total project cost can be covered by this grant, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.
Given the District’s history of fiscal responsibility and the urgent facility maintenance needs, coupled with the Section 12d Grant award timeline, the Board of Education believes this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move forward with the proposed bond project.
Project Cost Summary
Total Project Cost $25,700,000
Section 12d Grant -($15,400,000)
Bond Proposal $10,300,000
Did You Know…?
Nearly 60% of the total project cost will be paid by the Section 12D grant awarded to NCA
Ballot Question
The official ballot language that will appear on your ballot on November 4, 2025 is shown below:
Shall North Central Area Schools, Menominee County, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Ten Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($10,300,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, in one or more series, for the purpose of: erecting and remodeling school buildings, facilities and additions to school buildings and facilities; equipping, re-equipping, furnishing and refurnishing school buildings and facilities; acquiring and installing instructional technology; and preparing, developing, improving and equipping playgrounds, structures, facilities and sites?
Voting Information:
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Visit https://www.michigan.gov/vote for details on your polling location and hours.
Absentee Voting: All voters in Michigan can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them for any reason. Voters must be registered before they can request an absentee ballot. To request an absentee ballot, visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index. You must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request.
In-Person Absentee Voting: Voters can request and vote via absentee ballot in-person at their municipal clerk’s office beginning on September 25. Office hours vary by municipality, some municipal offices may not offer additional in-person absentee hours. Please contact your municipal clerk for available options.
How To Learn More:
The School Board and administration will continue to provide information, in multiple formats, to the community about the proposed bond plan for the November 4, 2025 Fall Election ballot.
We will share additional details of our plan with the public, including preliminary site plans, in the coming weeks through direct mail, presentations/school tours, social media, and the district website.
For additional opportunities to learn about the bond proposal, please call the District Office at (906) 498-7737 ext. 101 or schedule a tour with District staff by emailing tdepuydt@ncajets.org.
Bond Open Houses will be held on the following dates/times and will include the opportunity to tour the school building. Join us to understand the needs and proposed solutions, learn the facts, and get your questions answered.:
- September 19 @ 4:30 PM – North Central Area Schools Junior/Senior HS gym (W3795 Highway 2, Powers, MI 49874)
- September 30 @ 5:30 PM – North Central Area Schools Elementary gym (W5465 Third St., Hermansville, MI 49847)
- September 8 @ 7:00 PM – Virtual (link to be available closer to date)
If you are unable to attend one of the above sessions, the presentation will be available virtually on the website, or you are encouraged to contact Dr. Travis Depuydt to schedule a meeting and/or tour of the school.
Questions? Comments?
For any questions, please contact Superintendent Travis Depuydt at (906) 498-7737 ext. 101 or via email at tdepuydt@ncajets.org.
You can also find us on Facebook! @NCAJets
