While many of the processes and solutions that will dictate the district’s trajectory in the future are new, one significant component has remained constant. Over the course of the last five years, Lapeer Community Schools has consistently adapted the structure of district services to fall in line with the twin challenges of declining enrollment and revenue.

To say that the District believes in shared sacrifice is not empty rhetoric: According to Bulletin 1014 published by the Michigan Department of Education, Lapeer Community Schools is among the least “top-heavy” districts in the state of Michigan.

“It’s clear that our District has a history of identifying and achieving efficiencies from the top down, and that’s not going to change,” said Matt Wandrie, LCS Superintendent. “In order to lead by example, we cannot be insulated from the sacrifices necessary to put the District on a track that is both innovative and sustainable.”

For the upcoming 2012-13 school year, the administrative structure will again reflect decreases in staffing. Specifically, the current three administrative positions in the Department of Instruction will be eliminated and, in their place, two new positions have been posted (see vacancy notices on Human Resources page). This new decrease coupled with the consistent scaling down of administrative positions has lowered overall ASC administrative staffing by 36 percent since 2006.

This new administrative structure will be impacted by the retirement of Craig Gerard, longtime Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, who will enter retirement on August 1, 2012, after more than 20 years of service in this capacity. This Assistant Superintendent position will be eliminated. The responsibilities fulfilled by Mr. Gerard will be handled by Kim Seifferly who will fill the Executive Director of Human Resources position after serving as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, one of the three eliminated positions referenced previously, for seven years. S

The total estimated savings associated with planned restructuring in the Administration & Services Center is between $66,000 – $100,000.

East and Zemmer bands will still take part in the band festival at Carman-Ainsworth. Zemmer students should report to the band room in concert uniform at 1:45 p.m.

Reminder about athletic practices: When schools are closed, practices are considered voluntary.

Please stay tuned for more information on evening activities.

The meeting is open to the public and will give community members the opportunity to be engaged in the process. Anyone in attendance will be able to submit questions to Superintendent Matt Wandrie regarding the recent proposal.

The students were excited about doing things on a local level and helping out families in their own community.  They have several other projects in the works in the coming months to also benefit local organizations.

Great job!

The outing’s shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m.

The cost is $300 per team ($75 per person) for 18 holes with cart. Lunch is also included. There will be prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin. Trophies will be handed out for men, women and mixed divisions.

All entries must be submitted by April 7.

For more information, contact Mike Smith (810-667-2423 ext. 3232), Pat Cronin (810-664-1711) or Bob Rowden (810-664-4906).

Click here to print off an entry form.

Our energy conservation point man Brad Walker, alongside energy consultant Rob DeBoer, talked to the staff at Community High School today about the program and mentioned the ongoing need to report obvious energy issues (like, for example, temperature extremes in classrooms). At Turrill Elementary last week, Walker was informed about a climate control issue in the building. He alerted relevant staff members and the problem was resolved the following day. Sometimes all it takes to fix a problem is calling attention to it.

Walker has met with the staffs of about half the buildings in the District and will finish the District-wide kick-off next month.

Here’s a helpful checklist that outlines some other opportunities to conserve:

LCP Photo

Check out this feature in Wednesday’s paper about the historic run by the Lapeer West girls’  basketball team. The upcoming game between our District’s two high schools has some serious implications for the Panthers.

From the Lapeer County Press:

The Lapeer East and West boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will meet for the second time this year on Friday, Feb. 24, and the outcome could be a milestone for the West girls’ team.

Not to put the cart before the horse, but the West girls’ squad is set to make school history after dispatching Holly, 46-28, on Feb. 17 in the winnertake all game. That sets the table for a possible first outright league title in 43 years for the Lady Panthers’ girls’ program.

Keep it up ladies! You are making the District proud!

Detroit Lions football players including Jason Hanson, Herman Moore, Corey Schlesinger, and Rob Rubick (more player names to be released soon) will play a basketball game against the Administrators and Principals of Lapeer Community Schools and the principals of Chatfield School.

If you wish to pre-purchase your tickets they are $10 per person or $36 for a family four pack and are available now at all Lapeer Community Schools. You can also purchase your tickets at River Street Music and Cafe in downtown Lapeer, Lapeer Gold & Diamond on M-24 next to Subway. There are also limited free tickets available at the law firm of Kohl, Harris, Nolan, McCarthy, Turkelson & Ogden P.C located in the heart of the Village of Metamora, kiddy-corner across from The Historic White Horse Inn.

Tickets at the door will be $10 per person, so pre-purchase your group tickets now and save a few $$$.

In addition to the actual basketball game there will be many activities for the entire family including a bounce house for the little ones in attendance, a Chinese auction to include local merchant gift baskets & gift certificates, a Silent auction to include a Detroit Pistons suite and game tickets for 12 people, Autographed sports memorabilia, a 50/50 raffle. If you are in need of a snack or drink a concession stand will also be available with many great food and drink items.

There will also be FREE giveaways, autographs, and door prizes associated with your blue game ticket stub. At halftime we will draw the winning ticket for the Lapeer East High School Project Graduation Class of 2012 raffle. This raffle has a first prize of $1,000! There is also a second prize of $500 & third prize of $250. There are still a few tickets remaining for purchase, see any project graduation committee member to purchase a ticket.

Sponsorships are also available for this event, please email lapeereast2012@gmail.com or call 810-441-5029 for more information.

Over the past few months, Superintendent Matt Wandrie has been meeting with parents and leaders in the homeschool community to gauge interest in virtual learning. Robyn Parton, a local homeschooling advocate, has been impressed by the District’s level of engagement.

“I’ve had the privilege to be in on meetings with superintendents from several districts in the area recently, and I can definitively say the LCS administration has done its homework in advance in order to provide a solid outreach to home educators,” Parton said. “It would be well worth parents’ time to come and find out what the District is preparing to offer.”

Attendance at one of these forums is a great opportunity for anyone interested in virtual learning and how it fits into the educational future of the LCS community.

“I have the utmost respect for families that make the choice to educate their children at home,” Wandrie said. “Our goal is to simply empower parents with resources that our District is in a unique position to provide.”

Informational meeting schedule:

–Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Annex Building meeting room, next to the historic downtown Lapeer Courthouse

–Wednesday, February 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the DeAngeli Library meeting room, 921 W. Nepessing St. , Lapeer.*

*Please park on the street in order to keep the regular parking lot available to library patrons.