Always Follow the Money: Contributions for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Bond Vote Campaign

In our last post, GRIID spoke with Kyle Lim from the Urban Core Collective about the November 7th GRPS Bond Vote.

Now, I want to look at the entity that did fundraising for the GRPS Bond Vote, known as Yes GR for Kids Ballot Committee. 

The funds raised through the Yes GR for Kids Ballot Committee can be found on the Kent County Clerk’s Campaign Finances page. There was a small amount raised $945, along with some in kind contributions valued at $1,245 for the July campaign finances deadline, linked here.

However, the bulk of the money raised and spent took place over the past few months, which you can read at this link. According to the campaign finance data filed with the Kent County Clerk, there was $28,200.00 raised and $20,561.96 spent. 

Here is a list of the largest contributors to the Yes GR for Kids campaign, which was the only group organizing for the November 7th GRPS Bond Vote. I include, when relevant, a contextual identifier to make a point about who might benefit from the Bond vote passing.

• Kellie Dean – President Dean Transportation $10,000
• Rockford Construction $5000
• Gordon Foods $1000
• Dave Shaffer – CEO Interphase Interiors $1000
• Rob Westdrop – CEO Moss Audio Corp. $1000
• Katherine Lewis $800
• Triangle & Associates $500
• Kate Wolters $500
• Leadriane Roby – GRPS Superintendent $500
• Milt Rohwer $500
• McAlvery Merchant & Associates – Lobby Firm $500
• Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts $500
• Tommy Brann $500
• Anna Lusk – Assistance Superintendent GRPS $300
• Rhonda Kribs – CFO for the GRPS $250
• David Smart – Executive Director GRPS $250
• Karl Nelson – GRPS $250
• Leon Hendrix – Executive Director GRPS $250
• Mathew Beresford – Executive Director GRPS $250
• John Harmsen – Executive Director GRPS $250
• Kurt Johnson – Executive Director GRPS $250
• Joe Jones $250
• Rukshana Ilahi – Executive Director GRPS $200

Some observations from this list are:

The largest campaign donor, Kellie Dean ($10,000) runs the company that has a contract with the GRPS to provide transportation for students. Dean Transportation is the privatized busing company that took over busing for the GRPS after the school district discontinued their own busing service. GRIID wrote a bit about Dean Transportation, which was also a co-sponsor of a Bond Vote kickoff event in September.

Rockford Construction and Triangle & Associates could benefit from facilities construction contracts with the GRPS.

McAlvery Merchant & Associates does lobby work for the GRPS in Lansing.

There are no less than 10 contributors who work for the Grand Rapids Public School system. 

Lastly, there are not that many small donations to the Yes GR for Kids Ballot Committee, meaning that those who would really benefit from the bond vote for the GRPS – parents, students, teachers and grassroots community members. Is this because that class of people were not courted by the Yes GR for Kids Ballot Committee or that their involvement isn’t relevant to the outcome?