L'Anse Creuse board: bond projects on schedule, about $4 million under original estimates

The L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Board of Education heard progress reports on its $188,700,000 bond program on Jan. 26, with district finance and project leaders saying active projects are on schedule and early bids have trimmed the program's projected costs.

"About 19.4% of its funds [are] committed to projects either complete or in progress," said Cathy Conan, who presented the district's first formal financial update on the bond. Conan told the board that, based on received bids and alternates to date, the current projects are roughly $4,000,000 less than the amounts shown in the bond application.

The presentations covered athletic-field renovations, playground replacements, drinking-fountain filter upgrades in 18 schools, interior fiber and classroom audio system work, and security-camera upgrades. District and partner presenters described specific spring and summer timelines for site work, dugout and bleacher upgrades, parking-lot renovations at selected schools and a suite of technology projects that will be bid in coming months.

Project managers said some items are E-rate eligible. Brandon, the district's technology lead, said the district is reviewing mandatory and voluntary bid alternates for the PA/emergency-notification system and plans to bring the project back to the board in March, with expected work starting in March and continuing into late fall.

Conan outlined the district's approach to selling bond series: the district sold the first series in February 2025 and plans to sell a second series around February 2027 to avoid holding the entire bond amount at once. She said contingency balances for early projects are in a strong position — a combined contingency figure was described at about 55% for the initial slate of projects — and that the district is tracking change orders and approvals through its internal controls and the building-site subcommittee.

Board members asked questions about warranties for turf and playground surfacing, signage for turf use, the number and placement of new water-filling stations (about 120 total across 18 schools, roughly six per elementary building), and the status of punch-list and sidewalk repairs. Presenters said athletic turf includes a two-year workmanship warranty with a longer manufacturer warranty for the turf itself; signage and maintenance plans will be coordinated with vendors such as Shaw Sports and with athletic staff.

Conan said the district's strategy — using staged bond series and active cost controls — is intended to preserve taxpayer dollars and allow the board to consider additional projects mid-program if savings hold. The board will receive more detailed monthly financial updates as the work continues, with several projects scheduled to ramp up in spring and heavy construction through the summer.