Lansing School Superintendent Stephen Grimm hit the road this week to tell Lansing taxpayers about the Learning, Health & Safety capital project that will be put to a vote on March 9th.  The $3.6 million building project will enhance security in the schools, replace fire alarms, improve water pressure in the elementary school, and includes major renovations to the high school.  The project is being funded with no additional tax burden on already strapped Lansing property owners.

Grimm scheduled five informational meetings.  Two were held this week at Monday's School Board meeting, and Wednesday at Linda's Diner.  Next Tuesday he'll hold a special meeting for the public at 5:30 in Lansing High School, and then he'll be off to the 6:30 PTSO meeting.  Thursday morning he'll be at the Lansing Fresh Cafe for coffee at 7am.


The most extensive renovations will be in the high school.  To improve acoustics in teaching spaces heat pumps will be replaced with induction air units, thin, temporary walls will be replaced with real gypsum and metal stud walls, and flooring will be replaced in certain areas.  Other enhancements will include masonry and concrete repairs, exterior wall repointing, replacing smoke hatches, and new lockers for the freshmen, seniors, and in the boys' locker room.

Many, if not all, of the repairs address problems identified in a 2005 inspection of the Lansing campus.  This is the third capital project Grimm has presented to the public that has no additional tax burden.  The project will be paid for with $112,536 of EXCEL aid money left over from the elementary school roof project, $1,070,000 from the capital reserve, and a 2,429,512 bond.  Grimm said Monday that the capital reserve money can not legally be used to help solve next year's budget problem, and that the repairs are essential in any case.

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