Post by title1parent on Apr 20, 2009 21:29:25 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1535466,West-votes-to-close-Lincoln_au042009.article
West votes to close Lincoln Elementary
Legacy dies after more than 100 years
April 20, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
AURORA -- Since 1891, the halls of Lincoln Elementary School have echoed the pitter-patter of little feet as students made their way through the big brick building on Lake Street from math class to English.
For more than 100 years, tests have been taken, lunches have been served and friendships that have lasted lifetimes have forged forward.
This summer, the Lincoln legacy will end. The desks will be packed up, and the children will be shuffled elsewhere.
On Monday, after months of public discussions on the controversial and heartfelt decision, the West Aurora School Board voted to close Lincoln Elementary School at the end of the 2008-2009 school years.
“We do need to move forward,” Superintendent Jim Rydland said with dismay. “That would be our recommendation.”
Administrators say the cost of keeping the more than 100 year old building maintained over the next five years could cost more than $1 million. Closing Lincoln, and shifting its less than 300 students to other district buildings, would also save the district $916,000 in administrative, office professional, custodian, teacher, supply and utility costs. Space studies have shown the district having enough room to absorb the shift.
While parents and their children have openly opposed the closure at several public forums, the district has maintained that the changes are necessary.
Rydland explained that delays in state payments, a reduction in district population, and a drop in home values-- on top of the state’s decrease in general aid with the passing of the district’s recent referendum -- have left West Aurora in an economic crunch, and administrators have enacted a financial reduction plan which includes Lincoln’s closure.
The possible elimination of early childhood education programs as well as staff reductions have also been implemented and discussed.
The board has promised that class sizes, although they will increase, will not exceed current maximums set by the district’s teacher association, and that educational standards will remain high.
Several parents did step up to plead for Lincoln’s survival one last time. Mothers took the microphone and begged board members to look in to their hearts and do it for the kids.
In the end, the unanimous vote took precedence, and the district’s plan to close the building took its final step forward.
Chapin said phone blasts will be sent out to households affected by Lincoln’s closure notifying parents of the changes in the upcoming days. The sooner parents can get babysitting affairs in order and secure safe routes to school, the better off students will be come fall.
Superintendent Jim Rydland said he will strive to make the transition smooth.
“We want to make sure we communicate and have a welcoming strategy for the children,” he said. “It will be a caring and supportive move. We want to assure parents and students they’ll be in a positive structural environment.”
Doing so, however, won’t necessarily be easily; “You have your work cut out for you Dr. Rydland,” Board President Al Rhea said.
Board member Laurie Hoffman said the move will be worth hassle.
“My heart goes out to all of the parents for this adjustment,” she said to the crowd. “It’s hard on them and hard on the kids. ..We know Lincoln, as a building has some problems, and I hope the school they go to will be a better environment for them.”
West votes to close Lincoln Elementary
Legacy dies after more than 100 years
April 20, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
AURORA -- Since 1891, the halls of Lincoln Elementary School have echoed the pitter-patter of little feet as students made their way through the big brick building on Lake Street from math class to English.
For more than 100 years, tests have been taken, lunches have been served and friendships that have lasted lifetimes have forged forward.
This summer, the Lincoln legacy will end. The desks will be packed up, and the children will be shuffled elsewhere.
On Monday, after months of public discussions on the controversial and heartfelt decision, the West Aurora School Board voted to close Lincoln Elementary School at the end of the 2008-2009 school years.
“We do need to move forward,” Superintendent Jim Rydland said with dismay. “That would be our recommendation.”
Administrators say the cost of keeping the more than 100 year old building maintained over the next five years could cost more than $1 million. Closing Lincoln, and shifting its less than 300 students to other district buildings, would also save the district $916,000 in administrative, office professional, custodian, teacher, supply and utility costs. Space studies have shown the district having enough room to absorb the shift.
While parents and their children have openly opposed the closure at several public forums, the district has maintained that the changes are necessary.
Rydland explained that delays in state payments, a reduction in district population, and a drop in home values-- on top of the state’s decrease in general aid with the passing of the district’s recent referendum -- have left West Aurora in an economic crunch, and administrators have enacted a financial reduction plan which includes Lincoln’s closure.
The possible elimination of early childhood education programs as well as staff reductions have also been implemented and discussed.
The board has promised that class sizes, although they will increase, will not exceed current maximums set by the district’s teacher association, and that educational standards will remain high.
Several parents did step up to plead for Lincoln’s survival one last time. Mothers took the microphone and begged board members to look in to their hearts and do it for the kids.
In the end, the unanimous vote took precedence, and the district’s plan to close the building took its final step forward.
Chapin said phone blasts will be sent out to households affected by Lincoln’s closure notifying parents of the changes in the upcoming days. The sooner parents can get babysitting affairs in order and secure safe routes to school, the better off students will be come fall.
Superintendent Jim Rydland said he will strive to make the transition smooth.
“We want to make sure we communicate and have a welcoming strategy for the children,” he said. “It will be a caring and supportive move. We want to assure parents and students they’ll be in a positive structural environment.”
Doing so, however, won’t necessarily be easily; “You have your work cut out for you Dr. Rydland,” Board President Al Rhea said.
Board member Laurie Hoffman said the move will be worth hassle.
“My heart goes out to all of the parents for this adjustment,” she said to the crowd. “It’s hard on them and hard on the kids. ..We know Lincoln, as a building has some problems, and I hope the school they go to will be a better environment for them.”
