The board decided to act sooner rather than later in addressing long-term structural issues plaguing the community - lower birth rates, declining population, and reduced funding due to current and projected enrollment declines.

With the announcement of the planned consolidation of Lapeer East and West High Schools and subsequent denial of membership to the Flint Metro League (based upon LHS's new larger enrollment), district officials began a thorough process to determine new league affiliation with input from students, coaches, and parents.

Additional options besides SVL included the Oakland Activities Association, the Macomb Area Conference, and competing as an independent school.

[7] LHS is in the South Division of the SVL, competing against schools in the Flint area.

[8] As the former East and West High Schools were rivals of one another, and with the move to a new athletic conference, LHS lacks a natural rivalry.