By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer 

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Residents of St. Clair Shores, Lake Township and Eastpointe voted overwhelmingly in favor of a $10.9 million South Lake Public Schools improvement bond last Tuesday.

More than 65 percent of voters voted in favor of the bond, which is expected to lay the groundwork for projects such as replacement of doors, boilers furnaces and roofs at various schools, as well as playground, parking lot, classroom technology and security improvements.

Superintendent Deborah Thompson said she would like to thank the voters “profoundly” for their support of the bond.

“It’s the children who will benefit, and we’ll be able to provide them with what they need to be prepared for the future,” she said.

“I’m so happy the voters recognized that need, and support us, although I’m not surprised. We’ve always had a lot of support from our community, because people here value education and understand how important it is for children to get a good education in these changing times.”

School officials have said the bond, which will not increase the current tax rate, is needed to properly maintain school facilities and programs.  Recent refinancing of the 1995 and 1997 bonds provided a lower rate on the remaining debt.

South Lake director of business affairs Pamela Hercula said in March the improvements planned were “vital,” as the asphalt playgrounds at all four elementary schools are in dire need of resurfacing, as is the high school parking lot.

The district also plans to use the bond money to build new entrance foyers at the middle school and high school to restrict and monitor public access, replace leaky roofs and deteriorated heating systems, remove asbestos, replace damaged exterior doors and siding, renovate athletic fields and rebuild the 49-year-old bleachers.

South Lake Board of Education President Karla Anderson said she is “ecstatic” about the bond approval.

“Everyone working on this put in a great effort and we received some good comments back, but you’re always on the edge of your seat,” she said.

“It will be nice to fix the roofs and remove the buckets from our hallways and classrooms. The parking lots have huge holes that we’ve patched again and again, and they need to be completely resurfaced.”

Last May, voters rejected two proposals; a $15 million bond extension for building and grounds renovations and technology upgrades, and a $14.9 million bond for building and grounds renovations, repairs and technology upgrades that would have included replacing stadium grass with artificial turf.

You can reach Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1105.