Empower Future Learners Today

Lansing USD 469 is planning for the future of its school facilities while addressing long-standing maintenance needs. This page provides a clear, factual overview of the proposed bond, why it is being considered, what it includes, and where to find additional information.

The Board of Education has voted to place two bond questions on the March 3, 2026 ballot so voters can decide whether to approve funding for facility improvements across the district.

Bond Information Series

Lansing USD 469 is committed to providing our community with clear, factual, and timely information leading up to the March 3 bond election.

The Bond Information Series is a collection of short articles and updates designed to explain:

• District facility needs
• The proposed bond structure
• Financial impact and tax information
• Long-term maintenance planning
• Program and facility considerations
• Key voting dates and resources

New posts will be added regularly in the weeks leading up to the election. All content in this series is informational only and intended to help community members better understand the bond proposal and the decisions behind it.

Click below to view the latest Bond Information Series posts. This page will continue to grow as additional updates are published.

View the Bond Information Series

Facilities & Bond Planning Overview

The Lansing USD 469 Board of Education voted to move forward with a proposed bond election following a Special Board Workshop on November 17, 2025.

During that workshop, Superintendent Marty Kobza, architects from Incite Design Studio, and the district’s financial advisor from Raymond James Public Finance presented information related to:

• Facility condition assessments
• Student program and space needs
• Financial analysis and tax impact

At its December 8, 2025 meeting, the Board approved placing two bond questions on the March ballot.

Why a Bond Now?

Many district facilities have aging roofs, HVAC systems, lighting, and infrastructure. Over time, repairs have become more frequent and costly, placing strain on annual operating budgets.

A bond allows the district to:

• Address major repairs in a planned, cost-effective way
• Reduce emergency fixes and unexpected disruptions
• Improve safety, efficiency, and learning environments
• Stabilize long-term maintenance costs

We Heard the Community

Community feedback played a key role in shaping this proposal.

• A scientific survey of registered voters was conducted districtwide
• Community priorities included:
  
  • Facility maintenance and safety
  • Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities
  • Responsible financial planning and tax sensitivity

Survey results directly influenced the scope, structure, and financial approach of the bond.

What’s Included: Two Bond Questions

Question 1 – Core Facilities

Focuses on essential repairs and learning environments, including:

• Major repairs and maintenance
• Safety and security improvements
• Expanded CTE opportunities
• Updated spaces for early learners - Why Early Childhood Facilities Matter

Question 2 – Extra-Curricular Facilities

• Extra-curricular facility improvements
• Moves forward only if Question 1 is approved

Financial Impact

The bond proposal was designed with community feedback and affordability in mind.

• Estimated cost if both questions are approved:
  
  • Approximately $34.32 per year
  • About $2.86 per month
  • Based on a $400,000 home
• Based on current assessed property values
• The base facilities package can be structured to maintain the current mill levy

Individual tax bills may still change based on property valuation.

Cost Savings from Modernization

Facility updates can reduce long-term operating costs:

• LED lighting lowers energy use
• Modern HVAC systems improve efficiency
• New roofs reduce emergency repairs
• Potential savings on insurance premiums

Maintenance: Moving Forward

In addition to the bond proposal, the district has strengthened long-term maintenance planning:

• Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Long-term planning for:
  
  • Roofs
  • Parking lots
  • HVAC systems
  • Technology
  • Safety and security
• Emphasis on preventative maintenance, not reactionary repairs

Alternatives Explored

The district reviewed alternative financing options for:

• Roofing projects
• LED lighting upgrades

These options:

• Address limited needs
• Require ongoing annual payments
• Do not address all district facility priorities

If the Bond Does Not Pass

If the bond is not approved:

• Major facility repairs would continue incrementally
• Construction and material costs are expected to increase over time
• Modernization and efficiency upgrades would be delayed
• Cost savings opportunities would be limited

Community Presentations
Lansing USD 469 is available to provide informational presentations about the proposed bond for community groups, organizations, and meetings.

These presentations are strictly informational and are intended to explain the facts related to district facilities, financial impact, and the bond process. They are not intended to encourage any specific vote, but rather to support informed participation in the election.

To request an informational presentation, please contact:
Sharon Burns, Director of Communications – sharon.burns@usd469.net
Marty Kobza, Superintendent – marty.kobza@usd469.net

Have a Question About the Bond?

Lansing USD 469 is committed to sharing clear, factual information about the proposed bond initiative.

This form allows community members to submit questions or topics they would like the district to address related to:

• Facility needs and planned improvements
• Bond structure and financing
• Tax impact and mill levy information
• Voting timelines and processes

Questions submitted through this form help guide future informational materials, updates, and frequently asked questions. Due to volume, individual responses may not be provided.

Community members may also use this form to request an informational presentation by Superintendent Marty Kobza for a group or organization.

USD 469 Bond Information – Questions & Presentation Requests

Additional Bond Resources

The materials and links below provide deeper detail for those who wish to explore the proposal further.

Supt. Kobza Bond Presentation 1-12-26Bond Informational FlyerCommunity Survey ResultsSupt. Kobza Planning UpdateAthletic Fields, Turf, & FacilitiesIncite Design Studio- Board WorkshopDraft Financing Analysis - Raymond JamesTax Rates for $35M BondTax Rates for $30M Bond and no COLAESPC Financing Scenarios

The August board meeting presentation from RSP provided a comprehensive five-year enrollment and facility capacity outlook for Lansing USD 469, showing that district enrollment is expected to grow modestly - by about 62 students - by the 2029-30 school year. The report highlighted key factors influencing enrollment, including declining birth rates, aging housing stock, and lower student yield rates, alongside positive indicators such as increased housing development, rising in-migration, and a larger share of out-of-district students choosing Lansing schools. Despite these mixed variables, RSP concluded that all district buildings - elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school - have sufficient functional capacity to handle projected enrollment without concerns of over- or under-utilization. The presentation emphasized that ongoing monitoring of development trends, demographic shifts, and the approval of major projects like Riverbend Heights will be critical to accurate future planning.

Click here for full RSP presentation

Our district has partnered with Incite Design Studio to evaluate our facilities and engage with our community as we shape a long-term vision for Lansing USD469. Through this collaboration, we aim to gather valuable feedback to identify and prioritize projects that will best support our students and ensure that our facilities meet the needs of our community. To keep everyone updated and informed throughout this process, we have included documents and videos below for the Lansing community to review.

Feedback from our Community Engagement Meetings held on August 27 and September 4, 2024