L'Anse Creuse board says bond projects are on time and running under budget

L'Anse Creuse Public Schools officials told the board on Jan. 26 that major bond projects are on schedule and largely within budget, with a first‑series release of funds already in use and a second series slated for early 2027.

At the board meeting, finance lead Cathy Conan reported the district has committed roughly 19.4 percent of bond funds to projects that are complete or in progress and that current bid results show about $4.0 million less than the totals included in the bond application. "All projects that are active and going right now are within budget and on schedule," Conan said.

Representatives from the district's architecture and construction partners presented photos and updates on athletic fields, dugouts, bleachers and other site work. The partners showed progress on baseball and softball improvements and described plans for dugout cubbies, high‑tension netting and other site features that will continue into spring and summer construction windows.

District staff outlined several districtwide upgrades tied to the bond: drinking fountain filter replacements at 18 schools, playground structure and surfacing upgrades at elementary schools, interior and exterior renovations at multiple middle and elementary schools, parking‑lot and site repairs, roof replacements in summer 2026, and a pre‑purchase for generators at two sites. The technology team also described planned classroom audio/emergency notification upgrades and interior fiber and firewall replacements; some items will be submitted for E‑Rate reimbursement and are scheduled for board approval in March.

Conan summarized the financial plan: the overall bond program approved by voters totaled $188.7 million; the district sold the first series of bonds (funds received Feb. 2025) and plans a second series around February 2027 to reduce taxpayer exposure. She said the board's contingency position is strong and that early projects have not yet tapped the contingency line; one project even produced a negative change order so the district realized savings. "That's really good news," Conan said.

Board members asked detailed questions about warranties, maintenance and site phasing. A contractor representative said athletic turf includes a two‑year workmanship warranty with a longer manufacturer warranty for the turf itself, and the vendor Shaw Sports will do a pre‑season certification of playing surfaces. Staff said playground surfacing will be synthetic turf with a warranty system similar to athletic turf. On parking‑lot and sidewalk punch‑list items, staff said contractors will return to complete work when weather allows and that partial payments are being held until outstanding items are resolved.

Next steps noted at the meeting: several bids and award recommendations will appear on upcoming board agendas (including playground bids and generator equipment), the technology and firewalls packages will be brought back in March for approval, and the board will continue monthly financial oversight as projects progress.