The recent merging of the Dexter Community Schools athletic and community education departments will provide more flexibility for both programs and a financial benefit for the district, school officials say.

Scott Lucas, who was hired as athletic director for the district in May is now managing community education as well. The combination will let the profitable community education department cover the costs of the athletic department, which has been supported by the general fund of the school district's budget.

"Our five-year goal is to make the department self-sustaining," said Lucas. "We want to have community education grow to offset the expenditure on athletics and eliminate pay to play."

Both Dexter's former athletic director and community education director opted for the state's retirement incentive package. Now Lucas heads the singular department, which includes four divisions, each with its own coordinator: an athletic coordinator, a facilities coordinator, a children's services coordinator and a recreation and education enrichment coordinator.

Parents will see more options for before and after school child care this fall, and an expanded day care program as early as this winter. Lucas also hopes to offer day care for district employees in the near future.

Other changes this fall include more opportunities for people to start new enrichment programs, and more course and athletic offerings in the future.

"We're in a wonderful position because all the immediate townships like Webster and Dexter don't have a recreation league," says Lucas. "We can start offering services the community wants and needs. We also welcome people without kids to participate as well as people who live outside of the school district."

Lucas, who previously was assistant fire chief and EMS coordinator for the Westland Fire Department, owns a consulting business that develops programs for high schools and vocational schools. He was the assistant wrestling coach at Eastern Michigan University from 2000-2007 and recently in Dexter as well as in the 1990s, when he also coached football in the district. His son is a kindergarten student in the district.

Meanwhile, student athletes and spectators are enjoying improvements to the Dexter schools athletic facilities this fall. The upgrades include a new field house with locker rooms for both the home and visiting teams, a training room, a new concession stand and more seating at Dexter's football field.