LaPorte superintendent recommends decommissioning Lincoln Elementary, repurposing building for preschool and CTE expansion

Superintendent Wood recommended the LaPorte Community School Corp. board decommission Lincoln Elementary as an elementary school beginning with the 2025–26 school year, redirect its students to three nearby elementary schools, and repurpose the Lincoln building as a centralized early‑childhood center while moving preschool out of the Boston Building to free space for an expanded career-and-technical-education (CTE) hub.

The recommendation, which Wood described as the result of "approximately 90 days of listening, learning, researching, talking to people, reviewing the finances, reviewing the enrollment trends," would redirect Lincoln students to three other elementary schools within about 1.2 miles of Lincoln and locate all district preschool programming at the Lincoln site. Wood said the plan would allow the district to offer childcare paired with preschool programming so working families could drop off children before work and pick them up after.

Why it matters

The proposal attracted a strong turnout of parents, teachers and students during public comment who warned of negative impacts on vulnerable students, transportation burdens and community cohesion. Several speakers said they learned of closure discussions only days before the board vote was announced and urged a more transparent process.

What the board heard

Public commenters pressed multiple themes: calls for full transparency and earlier notice; concerns about increased bus routes and the logistics of transporting preschool‑age children (including secure child‑restraint systems); potential loss of wraparound services such as after‑school programs and weekend food support; and the academic record of Lincoln. Rebecca Scott cited a US News ranking showing Lincoln’s strong academic performance, saying, "Lincoln Elementary ranked ... in our La Porte School Corporation, Lincoln ranked number 4." Tricia Zilla, a first‑grade teacher, urged the board to weigh the effect on students who rely on school‑based supports and questioned whether consolidation would actually save money given added transportation and supervision costs.

Superintendent’s rationale and next steps

Wood framed the recommendation as a response to demographic and fiscal pressure. He told the board the district is facing declining cohorts — noting that this year’s kindergarten cohort is under 400 students — and increased competition from nearby districts and private schools that now receive voucher support. He emphasized that the recommendation is the start of a planning process, not a final decision: "We don't want to make those decisions quickly, we don't want to make those decisions without input from our stakeholders," Wood said, and asked the board to review the proposal with the goal of allowing time for collaborative transition planning.

Timing and procedural steps

Board members agreed to tentatively hold a special meeting on Nov. 18 to consider the resolution, and Wood said detailed logistics (attendance‑area redistricting, transportation routes, classroom assignments, preschool logistics and staff transitions) would be developed with stakeholder input if the board directs further action.

What remains unresolved

Speakers and board members pressed for specific details the administration did not provide at the meeting: maximum class‑size limits by grade, exact transportation plans for preschoolers (including child‑restraint availability on buses), where staff would be reassigned or whether positions would be eliminated, and a precise budgetary savings calculation. Board members and staff clarified that district revenue calculations use ADM (average daily membership) rather than raw enrollment and that additional planning and data will be necessary to finalize operational impacts.

Community response

Multiple parents, teachers and a third‑grade student made emotional pleas to keep Lincoln open. Teacher Maria Iovino said she and many colleagues feel "blindsided" by the timing and asked the board to consider alternatives such as boundary changes and using other district buildings. The administration acknowledged concerns and reiterated plans for a collaborative process should the board move forward.

Next procedural update

The board tentatively scheduled a meeting for Nov. 18 to consider the resolution; the district said it will confirm meeting notices through its usual channels.

Sources and provenance

This article is based on the superintendent’s presentation and public‑comment block during the LaPorte Community School Corp. board meeting on Nov. 11, 2024 (topic introduction: SEG 900; topic finish: SEG 1086). Quotes and claims are drawn from public comments and the superintendent's remarks in the transcript.