Nowadays, everyone’s into instant gratification, instant service, instant change.

That’s become much of the new normal, especially for the younger set, with instant messaging, twitter and all the rest of the social networking things that I’ve opted out of. Patience is a lost virtue, but one the LakeVille Community Schools will relearn as they wait, watch, and wait some more, as the ‘What Next?’ question has finally been answered.

The third time was indeed the charm, as the community stepped up and voted yeah, rather than nay, as it has twice before, on a bond proposal that will gain much-needed upgrades to facilities, technology, plumbing and more. A new football stadium and track is part of that package, however, it won’t be this year.

Patience will be key from all parties as the collective shareholders that include alumni, staff, coaches, high school players and community members will now be asked to either take a step back and let the community focus groups do their work, or join those task forces. A directed and concerted plan of attack will now be formed to create the designs, bond sales, and item-by-item priority lists of what needs to happen first, as the school district moves forward.

The good news? By the start of the 2013 fall season, a brand new football stadium with new bleachers, wiring, lighting, and track, will be in place as the school joins the Tri-Valley Conference-East. The bad news, if you can call it that, is that nothing will be instant, but will be worth the long wait in the end.

It’s a collective sigh of relief that is being breathed, and all parties involved know full well that big brother will be watching every step to make sure no one makes any foolhardy, fast or temporary fixes. This hard-fought-for money will be spent carefully, directly and with great thought and scrutiny.

That’s also a good thing. The money didn’t come easily, but the LakeVille Community Schools appreciate it more than it can express in words. Thank you doesn’t cover how the shareholders feel today as they continue to pinch themselves to make sure the nightmare is over. But, thank you is what they have asked us to pass along to everyone who finally approved the bond proposal. Dilapidated plumbing, broken windows, faulty doors that no longer locked, bad wiring, outdated computers, and yes, the athletic facility and other building upgrades, can now begin, on paper at least.

The Falcon pride has been restored, but it won’t be outwardly evident for a while. So, to anyone looking for instant change, don’t set you and the kids up for disappointment. Instead, help them make some banners for the hallways and outside fences that express just how grateful they are to the community to kick off the impending new school year. It takes a village, as I said last Sunday in this space. That village has come forward for all who will become part of the LakeVille Community Schools in the coming decades. Now that the gift has been received, be patient and let the adults put it together the right way. lpaine@mihomepaper.com