This morning I had a great opportunity to speak to a group of 20 local realtors about Lapeer Community Schools: where we’ve come from, where we are and where we’re going. One of the best parts of my job as superintendent is engaging the community in dialogue about the role LCS will play in the future of this community.

I equipped these individuals with information, and avenues to even more information, that will aid them in their encounters with prospective buyers. In the future, our goal is to make Lapeer Community Schools a destination district. We want this district, and what it offers to families, to be reason enough to move here — setting aside all the great things we know about this community.

Lapeer is a safe community, a generational community filled with pride that runs deep. Moving forward, we want to increase our visibility, enlarge our role in the community, to build a even stronger foundation for the future. To do this, we need more advocates (like those who attended our presentation this morning) to be informed about the revitalization of LCS.

There are many things happening now, and slated to happen in the coming year, that everyone should be aware of. In connection with the consolidation of our two traditional high schools in 2014-15, the current Lapeer West High School campus will become the District’s Center for Innovation. It will be home to numerous academic and extracurricular programs including:

• Dual Enrollment – UM-Flint and Mott Community College
• LCS outdoor athletics
• Alternative Education
• Standardized Testing Center
• Credit Advancement and Recovery Center
• LCS Robotics
• Numerous AP Courses
• Future Magnet Concepts (STEM)

In short, this one facility in our district will give future LCS students opportunities they’ve never had before.

We have year-round schooling at the elementary and middle levels; we are developing a campus structure to create more academic stretch and remediation opportunities for students; we are in our second year offering a virtual learning program at the Maple Grove Campus; we are raising funds for the future expansion of our outdoor athletic complex at the West Campus; a “homeschool high school” concept is being developed that could put district resources within reach of our county’s homeschool families.

There’s so much going on in the District right now, it’s difficult to get it all in one post. Suffice it to say, I couldn’t be more excited about the direction we’re heading and I want to share that excitement with anyone who will listen.

Thank you to everyone who attended this morning’s presentation. I look forward to working with you in the future as one team, one community, all-in for One Lapeer.

— Matt Wandrie, LCS Superintendent