At the request of the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education, the AFSCME Unit, which represents the District’s 35 custodial and maintenance employees, reopened their current Master Agreement and agreed to wage concessions that will save the District $31,000 this school year.
The revised agreement was ratified by the union on December 22 and approved by the Board of Education at a meeting Thursday, January 7.
The Unit agreed to a two percent wage reduction applied retroactive to July 1, 2009. The agreement also extends the current contract through June 30, 2011. The contract was set to expire this June.
A formula in the contract addresses any potential wage adjustments for the next school year, but most likely will result in a pay freeze due to Michigan’s current economic climate.
“Once again, one of our bargaining units has stepped up and made a sacrifice during these difficult economic times,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “The AFSCME Unit had a choice whether or not to reopen the contract, but did so to help the District and the children serves. This is another positive step in helping us address this year’s tough budget.”
Friday, January 8, 2010
Board of Education passes "Intent," but final decision on 'Race To The Top' is Monday
With several open questions about the local impact of approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the State on new Race ToThe Top legislation, Lapeer Board of Education members Thursday night, January 7, decided to wait on voting on the issue.
Instead, as allowed by the State, Board members approved a motion to signal the “intent” to approve the Memorandum of Understanding at a special meeting next Monday. The “intent” motion will be sent to the Lapeer County Intermediate School District today, Friday, January 8th.
“It’s still a moving target,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.
Recent legal opinions received by the District indicate that approving the Memorandum of Understanding could encumber the District with additional, long term financial commitments.
The action provides the District more time to get further opinions on the full impact of the Memorandum of Understanding before taking a final vote at the special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, January 11, at the Administration & Services Center, 250 Second Street in Lapeer.
Instead, as allowed by the State, Board members approved a motion to signal the “intent” to approve the Memorandum of Understanding at a special meeting next Monday. The “intent” motion will be sent to the Lapeer County Intermediate School District today, Friday, January 8th.
“It’s still a moving target,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson.
Recent legal opinions received by the District indicate that approving the Memorandum of Understanding could encumber the District with additional, long term financial commitments.
The action provides the District more time to get further opinions on the full impact of the Memorandum of Understanding before taking a final vote at the special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, January 11, at the Administration & Services Center, 250 Second Street in Lapeer.
Elementary realignment plan approved by Lapeer Board of Education
New elementary school boundaries were approved by the Lapeer Board of Education at its regular meeting Thursday night.
Board members, as they did when the plan was presented in December, praised the administration for designing a plan that affected only three percent of the District’s 2,900 elementary school students.
State funding cuts, the previous closings of Attica, Irwin and Hadley Elementary Schools, and the upcoming closing of Elba Elementary School in June, coupled with the opening of two new sixth, seventh and eighth grade middles schools made the realignment a necessity.
The plan includes the option for parents of the small number of students scheduled for new schools to remain in their current building through the In-District Schools of Choice program. There also will be room for Out-of-District Schools of Choice. Both In-District and Out-of-District Schools of Choice parents must provide their own transportation.
Re-balancing the student populations, closing a building and designing more efficient bus routes all save money for the District which can be used for academics.
With the board’s approval Thursday night, all elementary parents will receive a letter about the changes and will be invited to meetings where the changes will be discussed. The In-District Schools of Choice will open in February and close in March. Staffing for each school will be determined in March and tentative teaching assignments announced in April.
Board members, as they did when the plan was presented in December, praised the administration for designing a plan that affected only three percent of the District’s 2,900 elementary school students.
State funding cuts, the previous closings of Attica, Irwin and Hadley Elementary Schools, and the upcoming closing of Elba Elementary School in June, coupled with the opening of two new sixth, seventh and eighth grade middles schools made the realignment a necessity.
The plan includes the option for parents of the small number of students scheduled for new schools to remain in their current building through the In-District Schools of Choice program. There also will be room for Out-of-District Schools of Choice. Both In-District and Out-of-District Schools of Choice parents must provide their own transportation.
Re-balancing the student populations, closing a building and designing more efficient bus routes all save money for the District which can be used for academics.
With the board’s approval Thursday night, all elementary parents will receive a letter about the changes and will be invited to meetings where the changes will be discussed. The In-District Schools of Choice will open in February and close in March. Staffing for each school will be determined in March and tentative teaching assignments announced in April.
Two Lapeer Board of Education members announce plans to run for re-election
Two Board members with expiring terms announced Thursday night that they would seek re-election to new four-year terms on Tuesday, May 4.Mrs. Peggy Bush and Mr. John Nugent are completing terms on the Lapeer Board of Education and made the announcement at Thursday night’s regular Board meeting.
Mrs. Bush, a 14-year veteran of the Board, currently serves on two Board committees; Finance and Operation, and Teaching, Learning & Technology, and is a partner with Turrill and Schickler Elementary Schools. Mr. Nugent is Board secretary and serves on two Board committees; Teaching, Learning and Technology and Policy and Strategic Planning, and is a partner with Lapeer West High School.
Both members cited the good working relationships on the current Board and a desire to continue to see the District move forward.
State Representative Kevin Daley presents "Tribute" to Lapeer Board of Education
Each member of the Lapeer Board of Education was honored with a Tribute of Recognition by State Representative Kevin Daley, R-Lapeer County, at its regular board meeting Thursday night.In presenting each member with a Tribute of Recognition, Representative Daley praised the commitment, work and dedication of the Board members.
January is School Board Appreciation Month in Michigan. In this photo Rep. Daley presents the Tribute to Board member Michael Keller.
Lapeer East vs. Lapeer West High School basketball Girls'/Boys' doubleheader will be played
The Lapeer East/Lapeer West basketball doubleheader at Lapeer East High School will be played tonight.
The Girls’ team tips off at 6 p.m. and the Boys’ game begins at 7:30 p.m.
Some athletic practices may be held today, but coaches will contact their team members individually. Also any athletic practices on a snow day is not mandatory.
The Girls’ team tips off at 6 p.m. and the Boys’ game begins at 7:30 p.m.
Some athletic practices may be held today, but coaches will contact their team members individually. Also any athletic practices on a snow day is not mandatory.
Schools closed today
Due to winter weather Lapeer Community Schools will be closed today, Friday, January 8, 2009.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Lapeer East student, Lynch Elementary student win GLTA bus design contest
Two Lapeer Community Schools students, Cameron Myers, a Lapeer East student, and Mya Bates, a Lynch Elementary School student, won a Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority art contest.
The students’ designs were chosen as two of the four designs that will be painted on four new GLTA buses due for delivery this month. This is the
second year Lapeer students have had winning designs in the contest.
Congratulations to these two talented students who will now see their art traveling daily around the community.
The students’ designs were chosen as two of the four designs that will be painted on four new GLTA buses due for delivery this month. This is the
second year Lapeer students have had winning designs in the contest.Congratulations to these two talented students who will now see their art traveling daily around the community.
To see the bus drawings go the District's photo gallery.
Lapeer East's Alex Hart attends National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.
Alex Hart, a Lapeer East High School senior with a career goal of being involved in National Security, was selected to participate in an elite six-day national student forum in Washington, D.C. in October.Hart was selected as a junior in high school to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security from October 13-18.
Only 300 students from around the country were selected for this inside look at the country’s current fight against foreign and domestic threats.
The conference included lectures, small groups and even one-on-ones with senior CIA, FBI Department of Defense, and National Security Administration officials.
“We were busy from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on different topics from different services,” Alex said.
On the last day of the forum, the students came together for a simulation of a real world crisis and the need to coordinate a plan of action and the writing of national policy.
“I applied for and received the position of Director of the CIA and head of National Intelligence,” Alex said. “This provided me the opportunity to grow as a leader and established my decision to pursue a career in National Security.”
As part of the exercise, students had to make decisions on troop movements and sensitive foreign relations issues.
During the week, students took field trips to many embassies and other national sites of interest.
After graduation, Alex is applying to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He has already spent a “Day with a Cadet” at the academy which solidified his goal of attending.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Statement on an incident at Lapeer East
Statement from Superintendent Debbie Thompson:
On Friday, December 18th, we became aware of an incident at Lapeer East High School that occurred at the school on Thursday night, December 17th. We immediately began an internal investigation. The nature of the incident caused us to promptly request an investigation by the State Police and the police immediately responded and began their investigation.
The safety of our students is our primary concern and the students involved in the incident were immediately suspended from school pending the outcome of our internal investigation.
Our first choice is to keep students and parents informed. However, the State Police has asked us to make no statements in reference to the specific details of the incident because it could hinder their investigation.
On Friday, December 18th, we became aware of an incident at Lapeer East High School that occurred at the school on Thursday night, December 17th. We immediately began an internal investigation. The nature of the incident caused us to promptly request an investigation by the State Police and the police immediately responded and began their investigation.
The safety of our students is our primary concern and the students involved in the incident were immediately suspended from school pending the outcome of our internal investigation.
Our first choice is to keep students and parents informed. However, the State Police has asked us to make no statements in reference to the specific details of the incident because it could hinder their investigation.
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