This letter to the editor from Matt Wandrie, LCS Superintendent, appeared in the November 13 edition of the Lapeer County Press.

Last Wednesday, people across Lapeer Community Schools woke up to the news of the passing of our 2022 School Improvement Bond.

Some woke up earlier than others, and a few never made it to sleep at all.
The tired, red eyes of those of us who followed the returns through the night are now clear and bright, just like the future of Lapeer Community Schools.

With so much riding on the outcome of Tuesday’s election, it is difficult to put into words the collective relief of the entire District to the overwhelming support of the bond. Suffice it to say, we have a lot of people to thank and a lot of hard work to undertake. We will get busy with both very soon. At our December Board of Education meeting, we will take time to show our gratitude to the volunteers who helped get us across the finish line.

The approved proposal will provide approximately $44 million in funding for improvement projects across the District (increased security, new paving, roofs, heating and cooling improvements, etc.) and will not raise the property tax rate in the District. We will remain as one of the lowest-taxed school districts in the region with new funding to address critical facility needs.

The passage of this bond is testament to what we can accomplish as a school district when we set aside our differences and do what’s best for our kids. This bond would have suffered the fate of others in the past were it not for civic-minded people in our community who went to bat for the District, choosing to be a part of a solution rather than just pointing to problems.

We could all learn something from their example.

Moving forward, we will continue to update everyone on progress with the bond projects at LapeerBond.com. Soon, you will find project timelines that will answer the question we’ve heard over and over since Wednesday morning: When do we get to work?

A million thanks to everyone who supported us in this endeavor. The best is yet to come.

Bolt Up!

Matt Wandrie
Superintendent
Lapeer Community Schools