Tiger families:
We are at the precipice of another very busy summer of construction at Allegan Public Schools. While a few projects are still slated for the summer of 2027, this will be the final major summer of construction connected to the 2021 Bond Issue. Every school building across the district will be impacted in some way this summer. This includes:
- High school classroom and media center renovations.
- High school computer lab conversion to an esports room.
- New high school cafeteria furniture.
- High school corridor flooring replacement.
- High school “ring road” replacement.
- High school staff parking lot replacement.
- Student parking lot replacement between high school and softball field.
- High school drainage system improvements.
- High school retention basin expansion.
- Performing Arts Center lighting and sound upgrades.
- Performing Arts Center chiller and stage curtain upgrades.
- New high school generator.
- High school exterior insulation and finish system cleaning and painting near the Performing Arts Center, gym, and pool.
- North Ward transition for future Little Tigers expansion.
- Dawson Elementary transition to the Allegan Early Childhood Center serving Young Fives, early childhood special education, and Head Start preschool students.
- Dawson classroom, office, and hallway renovations.
- Dawson lower elementary playground addition designed specifically for our youngest learners.
- Relocation of teacher materials, curriculum, and supplies to Allegan Elementary School.
- New L.E. White Middle School roof.
- New administration building roof.
- Allegan Elementary School completion, including parking, landscaping, furniture, and technology installations.
That’s a lot of change, which we know can be both difficult and exciting at the same time. The biggest change will come this fall as we begin the 2026-2027 school year with all elementary students together under one roof at Allegan Elementary School.
An emotional transition
I write this after just leaving the final senior walk-through at West Ward Elementary School. The senior walk-through has long been a tradition our students look forward to as a rite of passage before graduation. It brings with it a deep sense of nostalgia—students walking the halls of a school that once felt so big, squeezing onto playground equipment not designed for their now-adult bodies, and taking one final picture by the school sign that likely mirrors one taken when they were five years old.
When we first began the bond process, including the construction of Allegan Elementary School, a friend told me that leaving our buildings behind would feel like a grieving process. That grief is often connected to memories—a broken bone on the playground, a first crush, playing under the massive parachute in gym class, friendships formed that have lasted a lifetime, and the final senior walk-through.
I have immense respect for the memories held within our school buildings and understand why this transition may feel bittersweet and filled with mixed emotions. Those feelings are real, and they are an important part of this process.
New opportunities, new memories
At the same time, change can also bring excitement and opportunity. Allegan Elementary School offers countless reasons to look forward to all of our elementary students growing and learning together. From a logistical standpoint, we are excited about opportunities such as eliminating single-section classrooms and split-grade classrooms while creating more balanced class sizes. From a staffing perspective, having all of our staff housed in one building will allow for greater collaboration and more efficient service to students.
There are also many direct benefits for students. Meals will be cooked on-site instead of being transported from the high school. Every classroom will include a small-group room, allowing students to receive additional support without leaving their classroom. Students requiring intensive services will no longer need to leave their school to receive that support. Most importantly, students will grow up together, attending school alongside friends they may have previously only seen through sports, dance, church, or other activities.
We know that these changes will help us continue fulfilling our vision of creating a community where all belong and thrive! The memories that made our senior walk-throughs so special will now begin to be formed at Allegan Elementary School. For the students caught in the middle of this transition, many cherished parts of that tradition will remain—elementary students cheering in celebration, teachers and staff lining the halls in support, and one last opportunity to play on the playground with lifelong friends.
We wish everyone a wonderful summer, and congratulations to the Class of 2026!
