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Committee approves Lincoln Academy waiver to extend satellite timeline
Summary
The Law and Licensing Committee voted unanimously to approve Lincoln Academy’s request to extend the timeline for a previously approved satellite expansion so the school can instead add K–5 seats on its existing campus and open in fall 2027.
The Law and Licensing Committee of the Utah State Board of Education approved a waiver request from Lincoln Academy to extend the timeline tied to an earlier satellite‑campus approval, allowing the charter to add K–5 enrollment space on its existing campus with a planned opening in fall 2027.
Jake Hunt, executive director at Lincoln Academy, told the committee the school’s goal is to “add additional elementary students” and to “narrow that gap” between fifth and seventh grades by expanding capacity on its present campus rather than building a separate high‑school satellite. He said the school expects to fill seats from a refreshed annual wait list and described the current request as a reduced expansion (about a 150‑student increase compared with an earlier 300‑student projection).
Committee members urged the charter to consult with nearby districts as plans evolve. Several members said waivers that endure indefinitely can complicate district planning and recommended adding finite checkpoints to future waiver approvals. The committee asked staff to revisit the waiver policy and consider requiring consultation and time‑limited waivers.
A motion that the committee approve Lincoln Academy’s waiver from R277‑552‑6(9) and forward the request to the full board passed unanimously.
