Name
Jon A. Kopczyk
Education / Experience
Bachelor's degree
Phone
586-850-1274
I’m running for the Board of Education because I care deeply about the L’Anse Creuse community, and I believe my experience can make a positive difference.
My family has been part of this district for many years. I’ve been a parent, a coach, a band volunteer, and someone who has spent a lot of time around our schools and students. I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the things that make this district special, as well as some of the challenges facing our students, families, teachers, and staff.
Ultimately, I want to help make sure L’Anse Creuse continues to provide our students with an excellent education while also supporting the teachers, staff, and families who make that possible.
I believe the primary issues facing the Board of Education are maintaining strong academic outcomes, supporting our teachers and staff, making responsible financial decisions, and improving communication and trust within our community.
I also believe the Board needs to restore a sense of decorum and professionalism. Board meetings should model the behavior we expect from our students and staff. Members can disagree and healthy disagreement is important but disagreements should be handled respectfully, professionally, and with the understanding that everyone at the table is there to serve the students and community
I believe L’Anse Creuse has safety plans and procedures in place, but I also believe the Board has a responsibility to regularly review those plans and make sure they are effective, up to date, and consistently implemented in every building.
School safety has to be one of the Board’s highest priorities.
I believe L’Anse Creuse offers good opportunities for students who are interested in career and technical education, but I also believe there is an opportunity to do more.
I want to make sure students understand that choosing a technical career, skilled trade, certification program, military service, or other career pathway is not a lesser choice. We should make sure career planning starts early enough that students have time to understand their options and make informed decisions. A student shouldn't graduate and then begin figuring out what career they might want to pursue.
Ultimately, I want every L’Anse Creuse graduate to leave high school with a plan for what comes next.
Name
Adam Lipski
Education / Experience
Xavier University
Phone
586-405-9293
After eight years serving on the L’Anse Creuse Board of Education, including the past two years as Board President, I am running for a third term because I believe strongly in our students, staff, families, and the future of our district.
I have been fortunate to see the progress we have made and understand the work that remains. I want to continue providing steady, thoughtful leadership and ensuring that every decision is focused on what is best for students.
I am proud of the work we have done to support our educators, protect our financial position, strengthen our schools, and provide opportunities for every student. As we look ahead, I want to help build on that progress, address the challenges facing public education, and continue working collaboratively with our community.
I am running because I care deeply about L’Anse Creuse and believe my experience and commitment can continue to make a positive difference for our students and families.
The primary issues facing our Board are academic excellence, recruiting and retaining outstanding staff, fiscal responsibility, school safety, and preparing every student for success after graduation.
I would focus on responsible budgeting, measurable student outcomes, transparent decision-making, and long-term planning. The Board should provide strong oversight while supporting our educators and administrators.
Success after high school looks different for every student. College, skilled trades, technical careers, military service, entrepreneurship, and entering the workforce can all be successful paths.
As we develop our next strategic plan, I will advocate for clear priorities, measurable goals, community input, and accountability.
Yes. I believe L’Anse Creuse has a comprehensive safety framework in place, but school safety can never be considered finished.
The district has emergency plans that are regularly reviewed, controlled building entrances, security cameras, communication systems, emergency generators, safety drills, and partnerships with local law enforcement.
As a Board member, I would continue supporting investments in physical security, emergency preparedness, mental health resources, communication, and systems that help students and staff report concerns.
We must continually evaluate our practices, learn from drills and incidents, and make improvements whenever opportunities are identified. Safety requires constant attention and investment.
Yes. L’Anse Creuse provides opportunities for students who choose a path other than a traditional four-year college, and I believe we should continue expanding them.
The Frederick V. Pankow Center offers Career and Technical Education programs in automotive technology, construction, cybersecurity, health sciences, criminal justice, culinary arts, manufacturing, marketing, and more.
We should continue strengthening partnerships with local businesses, employers, trade organizations, and community colleges to provide internships, apprenticeships, certifications, and work-based learning.
Students should understand that skilled trades and technical careers are excellent options. Every student should graduate with a plan for what comes next.
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Name
Steven Maul
Education / Experience
Bachelors of Science Degree, Wayne State University/PMP Certified Project Manager since 2005
Phone
586-322-2184
L’Anse Creuse has been home to my family since 1996. Both of my daughters attended LCPS and proudly graduated from L’Anse Creuse North. My wife dedicated almost 15 years as a dedicated, hardworking and caring employee of the district. In other words, our family has experienced the district from the perspectives of a parent, student or staff. I am running for the LCPS Board of Education because I care deeply about the future of our schools. I want students to have the same opportunities my daughters had and to graduate prepared for success – whether that’s college, the skilled trades, the military or directly entering the workforce. I believe every student deserves access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive, and accountable school system.
Recruiting & Retention: LCPS students deserve experienced, dedicated teachers and staff. We must attract and retain top talent through competitive compensation, professional support, and a positive environment where educators feel respected and empowered.
Student Achievement: Keep the focus on teaching and learning—strong academics, literacy, math, CTE, and preparation for college, careers, or military service. Reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and give classrooms the resources they need.
Fiscal Stewardship & Families: Every tax dollar must be spent wisely, prioritizing student learning, safety, and well-maintained schools. Parents are essential partners. Together, we can strengthen LCPS.
Yes. I feel L’Anse Creuse has developed and implemented a comprehensive safety plan and infrastructure, but the job is never finished. Safety is an ongoing effort and we must remain vigilant.
I support well planned and ongoing investments in physical security and emergency response. We must also make it easy and safe for students and staff to report concerns.
Planning is not enough. LCPS needs to never stop evaluating our practices, execute drills and have real "lessons learned" from incidents. We need to be honest, find our weak spots and correct them.
Yes. L’Anse Creuse provides significant opportunities for students who want to explore a technical or skilled trade career path. We need to maintain and expand this focus in the future.
The Pankow Center offers a wide range of programs, including construction, criminal justice, automotive technology, cybersecurity, health sciences, culinary arts, manufacturing and marketing.
We must continue working with local business and academia to help create and maintain work-based learning, certifications and the path to well-paying jobs.
Career planning is not "one size fits all" and every student should know that skilled trades and technical careers are just as important and rewarding as a traditional college education.
Name
Dale VanDeWater
Education / Experience
Associate's degree in Homeland Security, Macomb Community College; Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Madonna University. United States Navy: Training supervisor and curriculum development.
As a parent in the L’Anse Creuse School District, I want to ensure my son, and every other student, receives the strongest educational experience possible. A high‑quality education is essential for children and young adults alike, and everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and succeed. Serving on the school board would allow me to help ensure that all students have access to the academic and extracurricular opportunities they need to thrive.
Budget deficits: I believe in using district resources efficiently and transparently. Funding should be directed toward programs, tools, and initiatives that genuinely help students excel academically and personally. Responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is essential to building a stronger school system.
Staffing shortages: Support initiatives that attract high-quality staff and retain the talented staff we already have.
Student safety and discipline: I will work to reduce bullying and violence by supporting policies and fostering a safe, respectful environment for every student. Modernize school safety by supporting integrated technologies that detect threats in real time, strengthen emergency response, and improve secure access.
I believe the district’s recent investments in additional safety protocols and cameras are a step in the right direction. Still, we can always do more to protect our children. While we have cameras, secure door systems, and school resource officers in most buildings, office staff cannot monitor cameras continuously. New technology could help strengthen real‑time awareness and improve overall school safety.
Yes, I believe the district performs well in this area. The Frederick V. Pankow Center offers a broad range of certified Career and Technical Education programs taught by qualified instructors and supported by dedicated career development and work-based learning staff.
