NILES, Mich. -- Students at Howard Ellis Elementary returned to a newly renovated building this school year.

The school has a new gym and updated classrooms.

"The students, the looks on their faces when they walk into classrooms, it's priceless. Especially when they walk into this beautiful gym, their mouths just drop open," Principal Michelle Asmus said.

There's also a new wing for students in kindergarten and first grade.

A $40-million bond paid for the project.