LAPEER — Following a winter of mostly indoor work, several major projects funded by the Lapeer Community Schools 2022 Bond will begin in earnest this spring.

Last fall, the footprints of the District’s three new elementary multipurpose spaces were laid out — starting in early spring, the heavy lifting begins.

“We’re so excited about the prospect of having separate gym and cafeteria spaces at all our elementary schools,” said LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie. “This is a long-overdue expansion and we are excited to see it take shape over the next year.”

The additions will be at the campuses of Murphy Elementary, Schickler Elementary and Turrill Elementary (Lynch Elementary already has separate spaces).

Speaking of long-overdue improvements, bond funds will also cover the HVAC upgrades at elementary schools across the District. That work is slated to begin in June.

“We have old systems and controls at many of our schools,” said Brian Badder, LCS Director of Operations, who is overseeing the bond work. “This is an investment in the District that will create climate-controlled environments in all our elementary schools that are more comfortable and conducive to learning.”

At the secondary level, the focal point of spring and summer work will be Lapeer High School. Starting in April, exterior site work will begin on classroom additions that will allow the District to return ninth graders to the high school starting in the fall of 2025.

“This move has been a priority for the District for years, and it is gratifying to see the vision coming together,” Wandrie said. “Ninth graders belong in our high school, with access to all the resources we have in that building. Thanks to our supporters in the community, we are making this happen.”

In addition, we will begin interior improvements at LHS in June. These projects include classroom upgrades, bathroom renovations and the expansion of the weight room facility.

Finally, critical improvements are coming to our beleaguered bus garage. Significant drainage and paving work will be done on the property. Today, a substantial portion of the property is unpaved and improperly drained. This has caused numerous problems including, and most recently, issues with our underground fuel tanks.

“We recognize that there are aspects of our bond program that aren’t shiny, or in the front of people’s mind, but they are critical,” Wandrie said. “These are by no means the only improvements coming to the bus garage, but they represent an urgent need.”

For more information on the 2022 School Bond, including projects slated for 2025, stay tuned to LapeerBond.com.