The Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) is opening a new facility in Sterling Heights to meet the educational, medical and therapeutic needs of 300 students with significant disabilities.
The Donald Bollinger Education Center, 8566 Irving Road, is a 140,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a gym, therapeutic pool, playground, splash pad and other essential features for students and their families. The project cost roughly $70 million, MISD Superintendent Michael DeVault told the Free Press on Friday, Aug. 28.
He said the facility replaces a 70- to 80-year-old elementary building that served students for decades.
What was acceptable 30 years ago, DeVault said, doesn't accommodate today's needs. He said the new specialized building
also has a kitchen, living facilities and a greenhouse, changes that will help students with learning, living and employment applications in the district's year-round program.
Macomb County provides a comprehensive continuum of special education services and support for children and young adults from birth through age 26. MISD serves local school districts throughout the county with specialized services and support programs, as well as educational leadership.
The new center will provide specialized educational opportunities and support services for students with complex medical needs that require nursing care, including ventilators, tracheostomies, feeding tubes and other specialized health care support.
In addition to educational programming, MISD said in a release, the center will have therapeutic services and learning environments, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, sensory rooms, motor development rooms and dedicated therapy spaces.
The center is named for Bollinger, a longtime educator, and will be open to students and staff on Sept. 9. DeVault said teachers have the classrooms and facilities prepped.
The facility's cost was paid with funds from an MISD special education facilities improvement bond, which was approved by more than 70% of the county's voters in 2022. The MISD also covers parts of St. Clair and Oakland counties.
The MISD planned to borrow not more than $97 million and issue general obligation unlimited tax bonds for capital projects to serve special education students, including infants and toddlers, throughout Macomb County with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairments and emotional disabilities, according to the 2022 ballot language.
DeVault said some of the bond money also will go for upgrades, such as heating and ventilation and other needs, at other MISD facilities in the county.
DeVault said he is proud of the legacy of parents and grandparents helping special needs students and adults in the county, adding that they "deserve good facilities like everyone else."
The center's dedication and grand opening is set for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.
Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New center for students with special needs opening in Sterling Heights
