L’Anse Creuse officials inquire about multi-use facility
Survey related to district’s May bond proposal
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools recently sought more community input in relation to its May bond proposal, specifically to test the waters as to public support for a multi-use facility.
The district sought additional community input on the multi-use space from Jan. 22 to Feb. 2 via a link posted on Facebook. Superintendent Erik Edoff said that to reach community members who do not have students in the district, postcards were sent with information about the survey. Other communication methods were utilized to reach current student families and staff.
“We did direct emails again, to everyone on the email list. We promoted it on Facebook,” Edoff said.
The January survey was the second one the district has offered in regard to a May question billed as a notax-rate increase bond proposal. The first survey was offered in October 2023. Edoff said results of the October survey “demonstrated that the need for the bond was well understood and accepted.”
“There were more questions about one of the projects, and I guess lack of familiarity with the project, which is why the second survey was created,” Edoff said.
Last fall he said the bond proposal would propose no tax rate increases because of the structure of the current millage, as much of what was owed from that
bond has been spent down. On Feb. 9 he explained all district buildings and instructional spaces in the district would be impacted by the bond.
“Bonding for capital projects in Michigan is schools’ only method, in which schools can keep facilities in condition that is appropriate for our staff and students,” Edoff said. “It is the only way to construct facilities and the only way to make sure facilities are updated and function well for our students.”
Edoff added the current tax rate in the district is 7 mills, which voters have been paying for a long period of time. The May bond proposal would continue the current tax rate without an increase, Edoff said.
“So others have asked
for and approved bonds far more recently than we have. We have been very cautious with money. We have been very conservative. Now we have reached a point where we need to do this,” Edoff said.
The fall survey was posted at facebook.com/ LanseCreusePublicSchools.
The district-wide multiuse space was one project for consideration listed in the October 2023 survey. Edoff confirmed this building would be located in the Frederick V. Pankow Center area in Clinton Township, where several district buildings such as the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center are located.
The multi-purpose facility would be designed to support athletic programs, career and technical education
programming, and Science Olympiad. It would also serve as a district-wide testing site, band practice space, and graduation ceremonies location. The space would additionally provide opportunities for youth sports programs, community education and rentals.
“So it is a large open space, dividable into smaller spaces. It will have athletic sports fields including turf, a hard court. It will be a convertible floor, to convert for use of large ceremonies such as graduation, training, presentations. There are academic uses, as a testing facility. We don’t currently have one for testing large numbers of students. Use for the robotics programs,” Edoff said.
Having the multi-use facility would reduce district
expenses for rentals, such as those associated with graduation ceremonies, Edoff said. The district has recently hosted graduations at Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights, but could move these ceremonies back to Macomb Community College in the spring, Edoff said.
The January survey-related information provided answers to community member questions about the multi-purpose facility, Edoff said.
“Then we asked them questions about whether they supported that facility usage, the stated uses for it, whether it made them likely or not likely to support the overall bond program if it was included,” Edoff said on Feb. 9.
As of Feb. 9, the results of the January survey had not yet been tabulated, according to Edoff. However he also said that results he had seen were positive.
“Once they understand, once people understand the uses and purpose, they are more favorable to the facility,” Edoff said.
The October 2023 survey information broke down the types of projects being considered for the bond proposal as consisting of four categories:
• Enhancing safety and security.
• Enhancing arts and athletics.
• Improving instructional spaces and technology.
• Improving infrastructure and school sites.
“We have made some small modifications over the past few months, based on feedback we received and you know, based on refining of pricing of things, based on market conditions for pricing. But the bond application was submitted and approved in January. It has a really general description of the projects within it,” Edoff said on Feb. 9.
The October 2023 survey also indicated district interest in expanding early childhood programming. It outlined elementary school projects, middle school projects, high school projects, DiAnne M. Pellerin Cetner projects, Frederick V. Pankow Center projects and John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center projects, under several different heading areas.
Some of these included architectural work, technology infrastructure, safety and security, mechanical, plumbing and electrical, site work, furniture, furnishings and equipment. A series of improvements were also listed in the October 2023 survey for Wheeler Community Center and administrative offices, as well as the Larry F. Brender Support Services Center.