MILLBURY – Lake Local Schools cut the ribbon on its new elementary school this afternoon, giving community members and students their first look at the building.
“It is my humble privilege to welcome Flyers young and old on this special occasion,” said elementary Principal Mandy Wilburn.
Wilburn, a 2000 Lake graduate, is starting her seventh year as principal.
“I just think this building is fresh, it’s fun and the learning space is so much bigger,” she said.
Chloe Strickland, who will be entering second grade, gave a double thumbs up when asked what she thought of the building. She is looking forward to the new STEM classroom.
“I love how big and open it is,” said Chloe’s mother, Andrea Strickland. “I think it’s going to be really nice for the kids.”
This was a dream and a vision in the district since shortly after the new high school opened in 2012, said board member Tim Krugh.
In 2015, the district hired an architect to do a feasibility study and looked at the financials for a new building. In November 2021, a 6-mill bond issue that included 2.7 mills for the new school and 3.3 mills to pay off the middle school, was passed by the community and in April 2023 construction started.
Krugh recognized district personnel who worked on the project since 2015, including former Superintendent Jim Witt, Wilburn, and Dave Shaffer, maintenance director.
Liam Myers, who is going into third grade, said the building was great but he especially liked the large gym since gym is his favorite class.
Liam’s mother, Shalyn Myers said the building was worth its $36 million price tag and she appreciated the air conditioning.
Adaline Hurst is going into first grade and is excited about the music room.
“I love it because it’s much more bigger and it has two floors,” she said. “It has more space, so people won’t get in each other’s way.”
“It’s a great opportunity for these kids and I can’t wait for (Adaline) to grow up here,” said mother Jesse Hurst.
Father Jeremy Hurst, a 2005 graduate, attended the old elementary, junior high and high school.
“So far, I like the classroom sizes, and the art room looks really good,” he said. “It’s nice.”
“I’d like to thank you, the community, for recognizing the district needed to replace the old elementary school,” said board member Nick Baer, who served on the construction committee and has three children attending the school this year. “Our kids deserve a quality learning environment, and it provides a real sense of pride when you live in a community that wants to support our children and our schools.”
With bigger classrooms and dedicated space, “we are opening new opportunities for our children to learn and grow,” he said.
Second grade teacher Heather Miller will start her 22nd year in the district next month.
“It wonderful, it’s beautiful, everything is so new and fresh,” she said about the new building. “I think that everyone is going to love it.”
Superintendent Marjoe Cooper said this “was an unbelievable opportunity for this community, for our children and for this school district.”
The elementary is “a new beginning. What these students will see, what they will experience in our prek-5 building will trickle into the middle school and eventually the high school. …” he said.
For the last few weeks, preschool through fifth grade teachers have been moving their materials into the new school.
Classes are expected to begin Sept. 3.
Becca Schwiefert was waiting in her preschool classroom for families to stop in.
“Everything is so fresh and beautiful,” she said. “I like that we’re all together … over here all the grade levels are together.”
The building has 49 classrooms, 20 more than the old Lake Elementary, which was demolished in July.
Some of its highlights include
• Two-story building is 91,000 square feet.
• All first-floor classrooms have sinks. Preschool and kindergarten have a restroom in each classroom. Second floor (fourth and fifth grades) have lockers.
• STEM and art classrooms have outdoor learning spaces.
• Dedicated music and band rooms.
• Dedicated space for Special Education teachers and support personnel.
• Air conditioned.
• Enhanced security controls.
• Building has a flexible area, “the cafenasium” for breakfast and lunch, gym/athletic events and special events such as performance and community events. Its own full-service cafeteria will eliminate the need for food to be stored and/or brought over from the high school and improves food options.
• School layout increases overall parking for Lake Schools campus.
The older elementary, built in 1960, had mechanical, heating and electrical issues. Krugh said the district has looked at upgrading but the cost didn’t make sense.
“This could not have been possible without the support of the community. …” he said.
Walbridge Mayor Ed Kolanko said the new elementary was “much needed” and he was proud to be a Flyer.
The 1991 Lake graduate has children starting preschool and kindergarten this year. He said he hoped the new school would bring more families into the community and provide a positive space for learning.
Lake Township Trustees Chairwoman Melanie Bowen-Greenwald said she was proud of the project.
“I think it’s going to be great for our community and especially great for our young people, because that’s our future,” she said.
The high school band provided music, including the district’s fight song prior to the ceremony. Boy Scout Pack 126 and Girl Scout Troup 1120 posted the colors and led Pledge of Allegiance to start the ceremony.
The builder was Rudolph Libbe Group, and the architect was The Collaborative.
An open house for the families will be held Thursday.
