What's New This Fall at Hartland Schools

School starts a week from Tuesday and new year brings $6.2 million in infrastructure and resource upgrades and some fresh faces to key posts.

Some of the most significant projects are a redesigned parking lot for and schools — which are next to each other and have been a persistent problem when parents have parked on Taylor Road, causing traffic tie-ups that raise safety concerns while frustrating neighborhood residents. (For more details on this, see below the lists).

In addition, the district has been installing interactive computerized white boards in all classrooms, a move that's expected to transform how teachers do their jobs.

Here are some additional details:

• $1.9 million in work at Farms that includes a redesigned parking lot entrance, technology upgrades, new doors, counter tops and sinks.
• $1.7 million in work at Lakes that includes a redesigned parking lot, technology upgrades, new doors, counter tops and sinks.
• $608,300 at that includes technology upgrades. The parking lot also was worked on.
• $603,700 at that includes technology upgrades.
• $450,000 at that includes new food service equipment and technology upgrades.
• $310,000 at the 51 Building that includes new exterior doors, air conditioning in the commons area and an electrical service upgrade. The building houses the district's day care and preschool programs.
• $305,000 at that includes technology upgrades.
• $233,200 at that includes technology upgrades.
• $142,900 at the that includes technology upgrades. The site also is getting new tennis and pickleball courts, although those exact costs are unavailable.

Here are some highlights of who's new or moved:

• Cyndi Kenrick, who was elected in May, took office in July as the newest school board member. For a story on Kenrick, click .
• Mike Capra is taking over as Hartland High School's new security director. He is a retired Livingston County Sheriff's Deputy who once served as the school's resource officer. The move allows the district to save $30,000 a year by ending an agreement with the sheriff's department to have a sworn officer on campus. For additional background, click .
• In athletics this fall, Nicole Conley is the new coach of the volleyball squad.
• Assistant Principal Lawrence Pumford is moving from Farms Intermediate to Hartland High School, replacing Deb Petish.
• Former Fenton administrator Pete Vance, who was a prinicipal at a 5-6 building, is taking over for Pumford at Farms on an interim basis while the district decides what to do next with that position.

Utility guide wires draw attention

The fix for Taylor Road even generated its own controversy within the past month when guide wires attached utility poles weren't initially moved, forcing parking lot resurfacers to work around them. (See photos).

School officials said it was a nonissue caused by staying on a strict schedule to be ready before school opens that wouldn't affect the parking lot. But one neighborhood resident, Roberta Estes, who was concerned snapped some photos and sent them to the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, which did a story.

When interviewed by Hartland Patch, Estes said she was concerned that paving the section separately might cause early wear and reinforces her skepticism that the newly designed lot might not solve the problem. She noted past solutions have not worked.

"We've had several close calls," said Estes of her concern that was heightened when the 30-year resident nearly hit a 3-year-old who ran out in front of a car. "We're just extremely frustrated. We have been for years."

Officials said the timing of the paving would not be a problem and they are hopeful the new system should improve traffic in the area. The wires since have been moved.

Editor's note: This story is the first in a weeklong series focusing on the upcoming school year.