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Lincoln community and staff push back against proposed middle‑school consolidation
Summary
Dozens of Lincoln Middle School students, teachers and parents told the board closing or consolidating Lincoln would disrupt a walkable neighborhood school, increase class sizes, displace staff and harm vulnerable students; speakers asked for alternatives and more transparent engagement.
Students, parents and several Lincoln Middle School teachers delivered sustained public comment opposing proposals that could result in Lincoln's closure or a broader consolidation of middle schools.
"Lincoln Middle School is a convenient and reliable school for many people in the surrounding neighborhoods," said teacher Molly Brantner, who urged the board not to shut down the school and warned that hundreds of students would be forced to rely on buses or parental drop‑offs if the school were closed (Molly Brantner). She highlighted risks for disabled and multilingual students.
Multiple student speakers described Lincoln as a place of belonging and safety. "We might get separated from our friends...Bigger doesn't equal better," one student said, asking the board to preserve established peer groups and teacher relationships (student speakers).
Longtime staff member Frankie Crush described understaffing, workplace injuries and what she called a culture of "survival mode" at Lincoln, saying the staff and students deserve better support rather than closure. Community members also raised questions about facilities condition and repair costs; one commenter cited a district document estimating $7 million in maintenance needs for one building.
Board members repeatedly emphasized that the adopted resolution directs a study and that any change would come as a separate decision after additional analysis and public engagement. "This is just a proposal for a study with a lot of potential options," said board member Maya Sautel, urging calm communication and robust community involvement (Board member Sautel).
