Lincoln Expansion Inches Forward

When reopens in the fall, students will find their school grew considerably over the summer. A two-floor addition, which will allow for two regular education and two special education classes, is nearing completion.

Lincoln has been feeling the stress of a growing student population for years, said Oak Park Elementary District 97 Assistant Superintendent Therese O’Neill, noting this past year there were five kindergarten classes at the school. Lincoln's enrollment has risen from 500 in 2007-2008 to 577 last year. That's the highest it has been since Lincoln has been a K-5 school.

Although the district as a whole has seen , Lincoln —with its two mobile classrooms housing fourth and fifth grade classes — was deemed in more immediate need of the additional space for the future years. The mobile units in the back lot will be removed later this summer, said Norman Lane, director of building and grounds.

Lane said the Lincoln expansion project is on time for an August 16th or 17th completion, and the work so far is even a little under budget.

It’s part of an overall $2.9 million school improvement budget for the district this summer. Lincoln is also getting a secure front entrance, along with l, meaning visitors will now no longer be able to walk into the building without first going through the front office.

Only and remain in the district without this type of entrance setup, and both could be seeing that work done next summer.

Washrooms at Brooks Middle School and Holmes Elementary School have also been renovated for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the floor tile at Longfellow has been replaced.

Superintendent Al Roberts has outlined a $10 million budget for capital projects, of which about $2.5 million will go towards schoolyard projects. One of the targets is expected to be , which currently has a cracked all-pavement yard that parents and staff have .

“Once we get this work done, we’ll be sitting down, identifying very quickly the work that we need to undertake for summer 2012,” said O’Neill.

Eventually the school board will need to approve the recommendations.