Lakewood Board Approves Lincoln School Repurpose Plan

The Lakewood Board of Education recently made a significant decision during a nearly four-hour meeting, voting to transform Lincoln Elementary School into an early learning center. This move aims to redefine how the district supports its youngest students.

The plan encompasses a variety of services, including before- and after-school programs, as well as summer childcare. District officials highlighted that the repurposing of Lincoln was selected as the approach that reduces the impact on students while addressing shifts in enrollment within the district.

Superintendent Niedzwiecki expressed gratitude for the community’s involvement in the process, stating, “This recommendation reflects the collective effort, care, and wisdom of our families, staff, students and community members who have guided us throughout this process. We understand that change is never easy and that this decision will bring some sadness and disappointment. Our focus must remain on providing equitable, high-quality learning environments for every student in our district.”

The transformation of Lincoln Elementary into an early learning center will not take place immediately. Instead, it is scheduled to begin in 2027, allowing the district time to plan staffing, student placement, and the redrawing of elementary boundaries for the 2027–2028 school year.

According to a district release, starting in spring 2026, two transition teams will be formed. One team will consist of families and students, while the other will include staff. These teams will address various topics such as student transitions, staffing, walkability, and curriculum. The district has also committed to releasing new elementary boundaries at least a year before they are implemented.

In addition to converting Lincoln Elementary into an early learning center, the newly approved plan includes the relocation of several special education and gifted programs:

• The CHAMPS special education program will move from Horace Mann Elementary to Hayes Elementary
• The gifted education program currently located at Grant Elementary will also relocate to Hayes Elementary
• The RISE program will move from Emerson Elementary to Horace Mann Elementary

This decision follows over a year of extensive discussions and debates. A group called Preserve Lakewood Schools opposed any closures or repurposing of schools, and some parents raised concerns about transparency, alleging that the district violated Ohio’s Open Meetings Act. However, the district has denied these claims.

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Krisna Dwi Wardhana

Lahir di Padang pada tahun 1991, saya telah tinggal di berbagai wilayah di Indonesia sejak TK hingga kuliah, termasuk Aceh, Palembang, dan Bogor. Saya meraih gelar Sarjana Sains dari FMIPA Universitas Indonesia. Saat ini, saya bekerja sebagai Pendidik di sebuah sekolah swasta di Bogor, Tutor privat sambil tetap fokus mengembangkan Bisakimia.

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