During a professional development day for staff in mid-January, the Cramton Campus on Lake Nepessing Road, home of Lapeer Community High School, was transformed into a situational training location that was designed to both challenge the preparedness of the building in the case of an emergency situation, as well as allowing for the Special Response Team (SRT) members from the Lapeer County Sheriff Department to conduct valuable situational training in a school setting. 
This was the first training of its kind in Lapeer County and involved more than 20 members of local law enforcement. “The scenario was modeled after the recent hostage situation in a high school in Wisconsin,” explained LCHS Principal Kevin Walters. “It was modified to present an opportunity for multiple levels of training and involvement.” Staff members from LCHS were active participants in the training sessions, which include active shooter, bomb and explosives, barricaded gunman, and hostage situations throughout the day. The day ended with a luncheon and an opportunity to debrief between school staff and law enforcement.
“We would like to acknowledge the outstanding collaboration between the building and the Lapeer County Sheriff Department,” said Walters. He praised the work of Sgt. Andy Engster and Sgt. Don Brady, who worked with Walters to develop the scenario for this training.
Sheriff Ron Kalanquin was present during the training as well. Deputy Dave Hill assisted and is assigned to LCHS by the Sheriff’s Department. Last school year, LCHS enlisted the assistance of the department in providing a critical review of the school’s emergency response and lock-down procedures. Lt. Jim McLain, Sgt. Engster, Sgt. Brady and Deputy Hill from the Sheriff Department assisted in that review as well.“This is a great example of collaboration between the school and local agencies in the interest of school safety,” Walters noted.
Work on converting and updating the Cramton facility into the new Lapeer Community High School building is underway. Completion is schedule for late August and in time for students at LCHS to attend classes in their new school.