Superintendent Marty Kobza, architects from Incite Design Studio, and Raymond James Public Finance presented facility and bond information to the Lansing USD 469 Board of Education on November 17, 2025. The purpose of the Special Board Workshop was to review district-wide facility needs, share recent community input, discuss financial implications, and determine whether to prepare a bond resolution for consideration in December.
Community Input and Survey Results
In December 2024, the district conducted a phone survey of 300 randomly selected registered Lansing USD469 voters. The survey measured perceptions of district performance, assessed support for possible project concepts, and asked about tax tolerance.
Survey highlights included:
Strong community ratings in safety, school facilities, technology, and student preparation.
Highest support for Career and Technical Education (CTE) expansion, alternative learning and behavioral support space.
Lower support for large-scale athletic enhancements.
Greater support for scenarios with no additional mill levy increase or minimal tax impact.
These results helped guide the discussion about what projects should be included in a potential bond package.
Click here for Community Survey Results and Bond Planning Update Presentation
Click here for Athletic Fields, Turf, & Facilities Budget Projections
Facility Assessment and Priority Needs
Incite Design Studio reviewed the district’s existing facility study, noting strengths as well as areas needing attention.
Early Childhood Center - The Early Childhood Center received the lowest score on the district’s facility assessment due to:
Roof concerns
HVAC system issues
Restroom and layout limitations
Lack of secure entry and storm shelter
Overall challenges in meeting early childhood best practices
Architects presented three potential approaches:
A complete renovation
Building a new Early Childhood Center on the same site
Targeted upgrades to address safety and system improvements
Other District Facilities:
The elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school buildings generally scored between B– and A–. While structurally sound, they require updates in several areas:
Roofing and HVAC systems
Electrical upgrades
Parking lot and asphalt repairs
Safety and secure entry improvements
Interior refreshes in selected areas
Site and Safety Needs
The tennis courts and middle school track were identified as safety and liability concerns due to surface cracking and base failures.
These projects were discussed as core infrastructure, separate from competitive athletic enhancements.
Athletics Discussion and Turf as a Separate Question:
Board members also reviewed information about athletic facility upgrades, including synthetic turf. Because large athletic enhancements received lower support in the community survey, the administration recommended placing these items in a separate ballot question.
The Board expressed support for keeping athletic improvements as:
Question 2 on the ballot
Contingent upon Question 1 (the core facilities package) passing
This approach ensures that essential repairs and educational spaces are prioritized while still allowing voters to decide separately on athletic upgrades.
Long-Term Maintenance Planning:
Superintendent Kobza highlighted several steps already underway to strengthen long-term maintenance practices:
Implementation of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track all major equipment, schedule preventative maintenance, and reduce emergency repairs
Development of a roofing maintenance plan with a professional roofing consultant
Plans for a district-wide asphalt and parking lot maintenance cycle
A 12-year replacement plan for technology and security systems
Board members also discussed custodial and maintenance staffing levels, noting that the district is now working toward meeting national standards after years of being understaffed.
Demolition and Cost Clarifications
During the workshop, board members sought clarification about demolition costs for the former Olive Street building. Incite Design Studio noted that the estimate, around $500,000, is intentionally conservative due to uncertainties such as electrical service relocation and asbestos considerations. Actual demolition costs may be lower.
Click here for incite Design Studio Presentation
Financial Presentation and Tax Impact
Raymond James Public Finance reviewed draft financing scenarios for potential bond amounts.
$30 Million Base Package
Can be structured to maintain the district’s current bond & interest mill levy (approximately 14.94 mills).
Tax bills may still fluctuate based on individual property valuations.
$35 Million Total Package
(Example: $30M core facilities + $5M athletic question)
Would require a small mill levy increase (estimated at ~0.75 mills).
Estimated at less than $1 per month on a $100,000 home.
The district emphasized the importance of clearly explaining the difference between mill levy and individual tax bills, as property valuations continue to rise across the community.
Click here for Financing Analysis Presentation by Raymond James
Election Timing and Structure
State law now limits bond elections to March, August, or November. Based on the required timelines, the district would need to adopt a bond resolution at the December 8, 2025 board meeting in order to hold a March 3, 2026 election.
The Board voted to move forward with preparing the resolution and expressed support for a walk-in (in-person)election rather than a mail-in election.
Board Direction and Next Steps
By consensus and formal votes, the Board directed the administration to:
Prepare a bond resolution for consideration at the December 8, 2025 Board of Education meeting.
Structure the draft resolution to include:
Question 1: A base facilities package of approximately $30 million focused on safety, critical repairs, CTE expansion, early childhood and specialized program space, tennis courts, and the middle school track.
Question 2: A separate $5 million athletic enhancements package, contingent upon Question 1 passing.
Specify that the proposed bond election would be a walk-in election in March 2026.
For more information and updates on the bond initiative, please click here.