Brighter days are ahead for students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula

Superintendent Robert W. Vaught explains how academic achievement and the mental health of students, teachers, and parents have improved since securing funds to update the aging infrastructure at DeTour Area Schools. 

Arriving in DeTour, a small, rural village in the eastern Upper Peninsula, feels like taking a step back in time. 

Each morning, students travel through thick fog, often by ferry boat from nearby Drummond Island, to attend class at DeTour Area Schools. When they arrive, the island’s mist wraps itself around the school building, making mornings particularly dreary under the school’s decades-old lighting system. Sometimes, teachers have to open the gymnasium’s doors to give the kids enough light to play basketball during recess. 

While it may sound like bad luck, lack of infrastructure funding is a common scenario for rural school districts across Michigan, especially as President Trump and his administration play cat-and-mouse with federal education funding and attempt to dismantle the Department of Education. 

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That’s why it was such a big deal that Chippewa County residents voted to pass a bond proposal for DeTour Area Schools in 2023, allowing the school district to borrow $3 million to remodel its aging infrastructure.

With the funding, DeTour Area Schools superintendent Robert W. Vaught contacted Toggled, a leading provider of innovated LED lighting and building management solutions based in Rochester Hills. 

“The lighting upgrades create a healthier environment—one that feels more uplifting and helps students maintain focus throughout the school day,” Vaught said, adding that learning in a brighter, more inviting space has been shown to support the well-being of students and is tied to academic performance. 

DeTour’s upgraded lighting system doesn’t just boost learning outcomes—it’s also saving the school district money. 

Unlike their old lights, the new lighting system at DeTour can be adjusted and controlled wirelessly; therefore, school staff no longer have to worry about sky-high utility bills if they forget to turn lights off overnight or through the weekend. The lights also track data such as voltage and brightness, so school administrators have a better understanding of how energy is being used during the day. The system even has temperature and humidity sensors, which can help prevent mold from creeping into the building. 

“With the current challenges in public education funding here in Michigan, being able to reduce operating costs without sacrificing quality is a major benefit,” said Vaught.

“The cost savings on energy alone allow us to redirect precious resources toward student programs and instructional needs. Knowing that these upgrades will continue to generate savings for years to come makes them a smart long-term investment for our district.” 

This school year, Vaught said he has received a lot of positive feedback about how the lighting improvements have made an impact on teachers and students at DeTour. 

“Students have said the new lighting makes it easier to focus during lessons. Teachers have commented on how much brighter and more welcoming the classrooms feel, which makes the learning environment more engaging,” Vaught said. 

Vaught also said that parents have expressed appreciation, noting that the upgrades demonstrate the district’s commitment to providing a safe, modern, and energy-efficient environment for their children. 

“We expect the improvements brought by Toggled’s technology to have a lasting impact on both the mental health and academic success of our students,” Vaught said.

“Over time, we believe these changes will contribute to higher engagement, stronger outcomes, and an overall positive school experience.”

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