Concessions, cuts, reserve fund infusion leads to balanced LCS budget for 2009-2010

Concessions from District employee groups, voluntary administration compensation cuts, consolidation of administration and custodial services, plus an infusion of $1.27 million from the District’s fund balance led to a balanced 2009-2010 budget.

In a list of 48 potential budget reduction possibilities, the Board of Education drew the line about halfway through in determining the cuts at its Board meeting Thursday, June 18.

The budget saving reductions range from a $1,300 savings in not printing a payroll newsletter to a $1.3 million expected savings relating to the recent teacher contract settlement.

“This budget, with some additional built in savings in the coming years, keeps the core of our excellent academic and extracurricular program intact,” said Superintendent Debbie Thompson. “We have always been a District that did more with less, but that challenge is getting increasingly difficult as the State funds get tighter.”

One savings, $4,000, came from a suggestion from the bus garage mechanics who believe that oil changes can be made every 6,000 miles instead of the current 4,000 miles without harm to the fleet.

Under the approved budget, all deans of students who were previously notified of potential layoffs, will be brought back to work in the fall. Some of the deans have agreed to contract with the District for services, eliminating the health benefit requirement, which will save the District $50,000 in the first year.

“We appreciate the sacrifices and ideas from our employees that have helped bring us to this difficult budget resolution,” said Debbie Thompson. “We are committed to keeping these cuts as far away from the classroom as we can, but ultimately the cuts do nibble around the edges of our program.”

New Optimist tennis courts dedicated for current, future generations of Lapeer athletes

It's official. The Lapeer East and Lapeer West tennis teams finally have a home court and beautiful ones at that.

On Thursday, April 23rd, under a clear, blue sky Superintendent Debbie Thompson and Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango officially dedicated the new 8-court facility next to Lapeer West High School.

The new courts, which were first used this girls' tennis season, brought an end to four years of nomadic playing for the two teams after the old courts were condemned.

Made possible by a $280,000 gift of the Lapeer Optimist Club, the courts were constructed early in the fall of 2008.

Thursday's ceremony included remarks by Board of Education member Gary Oyster; Superintendent Debbie Thompson; Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango; Lapeer West tennis coach Sue Pittsley and two of her players, Casey Spooner and Jessica Delange; and Lapeer East tennis coach Oscar Rodriguez and three of his players, Ashley Crump, Victoria Snoblen and Janine Widzinski.

For the first time in years, and due to the new courts, both teams had enough people try out to field both varsity and junior varsity squads.

"It's true, build it and they will come," said Mr. Gary Oyster.

Following the ceremony the two teams faced off on the new courts for their first match on the new home courts. Lapeer West won the first ever meeting on the new courts.

The Lapeer Optimist Club has funded a number of major recreation projects for the schools and for the community in the past. Recent Optimist projects include about $435,000 in work on the soccer fields near Lapeer East, including a recent expansion of the fields, which now include a concession stand, restrooms, a playground and a lighted varsity field.

The Optimists also donated about $130,000 to school playground equipment and additional donations that helped with city recreation projects, many of them dating back many years.

Board of Education give high marks to Superintendent Debbie Thompson

Lapeer Community Schools’ Superintendent Debbie Thompson was commended by the Board of Education for her strong and effective leadership during challenging economic times.

The Board presented its evaluation of the Superintendent at its regular monthly meeting held at Lynch Elementary School Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Each year, the Board of Education conducts a thorough evaluation of the Superintendent’s job performance. The annual review is done to ensure a consistent assessment and maintain accountability.

On Thursday, Board President William Laidlaw presented the Board’s evaluation.

“The Lapeer Community Schools’ Board of Education has concluded and reviewed its annual evaluation process with the Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Debbie Thompson. We are pleased to announce that she has once again received high performance scores from the Board of Education in the following areas: Educational leadership, staff relations, community relations, board relations, business and finance, personal qualities and goal achievement.

The Board commends Debbie for providing strong and effective leadership within the organization during challenging economic times.

Upon lengthy discussion, the Board of Education and Mrs. Thompson have set goals for the upcoming school year that will continually improve our schools and develop her skills as an effective leader for Lapeer Community Schools.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Board of Education will continue to enhance the strong working relationship that we have established with Debbie to keep the District moving in a positive direction.”

David "KP" Kirkpatrick, a pillar of faith, family and friends, remembered

David “KP” Bryce Kirkpatrick was a pillar.

He was a pillar of his faith, a pillar of his family and a pillar in his education career.

On Monday, March 16, David died after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

This week his former students and colleagues remember his deep and abiding influence on their work and lives.

A common theme among all his friends and colleagues were the “KP hug,” his always- positive attitude and his ever-present warm smile.

Lapeer East teacher and girls’ soccer coach Bill Kinzer knew “KP” as a student and later as a colleague.

“I was lucky enough to have him as my counselor while I was a student at East,” Kinzer said. “I then coached with him for 15 years at both East and West high schools.”

“KP was a tremendous advocate for kids, he was a genius at relating to people, and I remember being amazed at the line up outside his office at White Junior High before school each day,” Kinzer said. “It seemed like every kid in the building wanted to stop in and say ‘hi’ every morning. Personally, I just feel a deep sorrow that he’s gone. He was a one in a million person.”

West teacher Andy Roberts also remembered KP’s connection with the students, including those that might have had discipline issues or outside school problems.

“It didn’t matter what type of kid, he would stand outside the counseling office each morning and high-five every kid going by,” Roberts said. “He did it because he genuinely cared about them and his goal was to make a connection with every kid.”

When his mother died, Roberts’ younger sister was a senior, and a former player of Kirkpatrick’s. Although she was worried about her grades, she was not ready to go back to school and it was Kirkpatrick who told her to deal with her grief and that he would take care of getting her caught back up in school.

“He took care of it, he made sure it happened and he had it handled,” Roberts said. “He was the ultimate role model.”

Even with his great affection for his students, his life’s priorities were firm, said West counselor Brad Walker.

“In KP’s life, God was first, his family was second and the students third,” Walker said. “He put everything he had into what he did and was the kind of person people went to if they needed a hug, because you were going to get one like it or not.”

At work he was diligent and focused on making a positive change for students.

“I’ll always remember sitting in the back room discussing how to better serve the students of Lapeer Schools, especially the ones who seemed to have no desire to be reached,” Walker said.

“He was always positive, even in the face of all of the issues he was dealing with when Katie took ill,” Walker said. “He lived his life never giving up because of his circumstances and he expected to find a way to get others to do the same.”

Everyone remembered KP’s devotion to his career.

“He had the knowledge, and he had the desire to pass on this knowledge to others who were sometimes willing and sometimes not willing to absorb his wisdom,” said West assistant principal Tim Zeeman. “He had a passion for loving people and educating people. I firmly believe that everyday KP lived he educated someone. I also believe that even in his death, the memories of KP, living on as they will, will allow people to continue to learn from him and educate for him.”

East teacher and soccer coach Chad Kenny remembered KP as a person who just made everyone around them better.

“I learned so much from KP, mainly on how to discipline players with dignity,” Kenny said. “Now, as I run my own program, I refer to KP’s ways frequently. When I have to deal with a difficult situation, I ask myself, ‘how would KP handle this?’

“He would often say to me, ‘I don’t know much about soccer, but I understand kids,’” Kenny said. “And, he certainly did know how to handle kids. He was amazing to watch in action.”

West counselor Karol Settergren remembered KP as her mentor and friend during her 11-year counseling career in the District.

“He walked me through the process of becoming a school counselor, teaching me skills, giving me feedback, advising and supervising,” Settergren said. “Most of all, he gave me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement. He shared generously of his time and knowledge and for that I am truly appreciative. He expected the best of others and inspired students to reach beyond their expectations.”

Lapeer Superintendent Debbie Thompson’s memories of David were in his capacity as counselor at a time when she was in charge of curriculum and instruction.

“David always had a smile on his face and was the most positive person I ever met,” Mrs. Thompson said. “On a bad day, he was the person to see.”

A 1970 graduate of Southfield High School, Kirkpatrick attended Rochester College where he played basketball. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oakland University and began his teaching career at Lapeer Community Schools.

In addition to his teaching and counseling career, he was a track, soccer, basketball and Quiz Bowl coach.

He earned a master’s degree in administration at Central Michigan University and was a licensed, professional counselor. He spent the last portion of his nearly 32-year career as a guidance counselor at E.T. White Junior High School and Lapeer West High School.

In 1995, he was awarded a “Distinguished Service Award” by the Great Teachers Foundation. In 2005, he received the Outstanding Alumnus in Education Award from Rochester College.

He served as an elder at the Lake Orion Church of Christ and was most recently a member of the Lapeer Church of Christ. He also served on the Michigan Christian Youth Camp Board of Directors and was chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus.

KP is survived by his wife of 36 years, Niki; his daughter, Sara (Kevin) Nelms, of Metamora; son-in-law, Nick Godwin, of Port Huron; grandchildren, Jake David and Hayley-Kate Elizabeth Nelms, of Metamora; parents, James and Hazel Kirkpatrick, of Southfield; a brother, Thomas Kirkpatrick, of Lake Orion; parents-in-law, Nick and Geneva Schafsnitz, of Arizona; sister-in-law, Dawn (Jack) Neveau, of Arizona; nephew, Jonathan Neveau, of Arizona; niece, April (Tom) Martini, of Arizona; great nieces, Kaitlyn, Jacklyn and Madilyn Martini, of Arizona; and countless other family, friends and colleagues.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Nathan Kirkpatrick, in 1982, and daughter, Katie Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Godwin, who died in January 2005 after her courageous battle with cancer.

Memorial contributions are requested to Katie’s Wings, P.O. Box 458, Metamora, Michigan, 48455. Katie’s Wings is a non-profit organization founded by the Kirpatrick family in memory of their daughter, Katie. It provides assistance to local people dealing with cancer by offering products and services through Katie’s Spa in Lapeer.

Visitation is tonight (Friday), March 20 from 2-8 p.m. at the Lapeer Church of Christ, 1680 N. Lapeer Road. Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Bristol Road Church of Christ, 1315 W. Bristol Road in Flint.