Blue Ribbon Facilities

In This Section

Blue Ribbon Facilities is the initiative in LT to keep buildings and updated and secure, as well as to assist with capacity planning. Every student and employee deserves a vibrant, safe environment that is conducive to learning and growing. The first Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan spanned 10 years (2014-2024), with over $220M invested in capital improvement projects district-wide outside of the capital referendum passed in 2019 with 68% voter support. Those dollars were primarily focused on the renovation of the two high schools.

Blue Ribbon Facilities Part 2 was approved by the Board of Education in the spring of 2024 and is a continuation of the aforementioned initiatives and organized into five priority areas.

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Blue Ribbon 2 Priorities

Priority I - Roofs & HVAC Control Upgrades (2025-2027)

Roofs: ELC Amy Beverland, ELC Brook Park, ELC Mary Castle, ELC Winding Ridge, Crestview Elementary, Harrison Hill Elementary, Indian Creek Elementary, Skiles Test Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary, McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology
HVAC/Control Upgrades: ELC Amy Beverland, ELC Brook Park, ELC Mary Castle, ELC Winding Ridge, Amy Beverland Elementary, Brook Park Elementary, Crestview Elementary, Forest Glen Elementary, Harrison Hill Elementary, Indian Creek Elementary, Mary Castle Elementary, Oaklandon Elementary, Skiles Test Elementary, Sunnyside Elementary, Winding Ridge Elementary, McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology

Priority II - Capacity Needs (2025-2029)

Priority III - Upgrades & Improvements (2029-2030)

Priority IV - Upgrades & Improvements (2030-2031)

Priority V - - Upgrades & Improvements (2031-2032)

LECC/Craig Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a new administration building needed?

Over the past decade, enrollment in the MSD of Lawrence Township has continued to grow. This is a good thing, and a far cry from 2012, when Craig Middle School was closed. The current LECC building is a school, and should be utilized as such. The current LECC houses Lawrence Advance Academy, the LEAP program, and a Day Diagnostic Treatment program through the Department of Exceptional Learners.

Additionally, the district has developed strategic partnership with both the City of Lawrence and the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority, who collaborated and donated the land to be used for the project at no cost to the district. Moving the business operations of the district to downtown Lawrence demonstrates community and provides easier access for stakeholder to district services.

What is the cost to taxpayers?

What is the project timeline?

What will happen to the old LECC/Craig?

The plan is to have Craig serve as a school. Lawrence Advance Academy will remain with the addition of more programming. Craig Academy, serving students in grades 5-8 will open for grade five in the fall of 2027 serving no more than 100 students per grade. Adult education is an additional programming consideration. All new programming be vetted through the Board of Education with opportunity for community input.

The building will not become a third middle school or a boundary school within the district.