As part of the proposed March 3 bond election, repairs to the middle school track and high school tennis courts are included in Question 1 because they are safety-related facility needs, not athletic enhancements.
Middle School Track: A Student Safety Issue
The Lansing Middle School track has deteriorated to the point that it is no longer safe for regular use or home meets. The track surface has experienced base failure and material loss, creating uneven areas and tripping hazards.
As a result:
The middle school cannot safely host home track meets.
Students have limited access to safe practice and competition space on their own campus.
The district faces increased safety and liability concerns.
Superintendent Marty Kobza has shared that while some have suggested using the high school track as an alternative, that is not an appropriate long-term solution. Middle school students benefit from having age-appropriate facilities on their own campus, and regularly placing younger students into high school activity spaces creates supervision, scheduling, and appropriateness challenges.
The goal is not expansion, but restoring a safe, functional track for middle school students.
High School Tennis Courts: Ongoing Safety and Usability Concerns
The high school tennis courts have been a long-standing concern within the community. Since the high school opened in 2015, the courts have experienced:
Cracking and heaving
Water intrusion beneath the surface
Net posts shifting due to unstable ground
These conditions have made the courts increasingly difficult to use and unsafe. Continued deterioration increases the risk of injury and long-term liability. Including the tennis courts in Question 1 allows the district to address these issues responsibly rather than relying on temporary or ineffective repairs.
How the District Will Maintain These Facilities Moving Forward
A consistent message from the community has been: “If we invest in our facilities, how will the district ensure they are maintained?”
That question has directly guided planning behind the proposed bond.
Lansing USD 469 is pairing these repairs with long-term preventative maintenance systems designed to protect taxpayer investment and reduce future deterioration.
What’s Being Put in Place
Preventative Maintenance Schedules
Athletic surfaces, including tracks and courts, will be included in planned maintenance cycles rather than addressed only when problems become emergencies.
Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Allows staff to track facility conditions, schedule routine inspections, and document maintenance across all buildings and sites.
Districtwide Surface Maintenance Planning
Athletic surfaces, parking lots, and asphalt areas are included in coordinated maintenance plans to avoid patchwork repairs and prolonged neglect.
Budgeting for Routine Care
Regular maintenance costs are planned for within operational budgets to reduce the need for future large-scale repairs.
By addressing these facilities now and committing to proactive maintenance, the district can shift from reactive fixes to predictable, planned care.
Why These Projects Are in Question 1
Both the middle school track and high school tennis courts are included in Question 1 because they address safety, accessibility, and basic functionality. These are core facilities students are expected to use as part of the school program and must meet safety standards.
Click here for a full list of projects included in Question 1.
A Note About Question 2
Voters will see two separate questions on the March 3 ballot.
Question 2 includes athletic field enhancements, such as turf field improvements, that go beyond immediate safety repairs.
Question 2 is contingent on Question 1 passing. This structure reflects the district’s priorities:
Question 1 addresses essential safety, infrastructure, and maintenance needs first
Question 2 allows voters to consider additional athletic improvements separately.
If Question 1 does not pass, Question 2 would not move forward.
Learn More
Early Voting In Person - Lansing Fire Station: February 28, 8 AM - 12 PM
General Election: March 3