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Board hears plan to move and rename Douglas alternative program as J. Michael Zimmers Academy at Lawrence
Summary
District staff described plans to relocate Douglas Alternative Program to the Lawrence site, add student supports and facilities (kitchen, elevator, sensory spaces) and recommended renaming it J. Michael Zimmers Academy at Lawrence to honor a longtime educator and board member.
District staff presented a proposed relocation and renaming of the Douglas Alternative Program to the Lawrence site at the June 1 board meeting. Mrs. Borders described a four-level layout that includes social-worker and psychologist space, a kitchen for fresh meals, flexible classroom and meeting spaces, a sensory area, added electives (PE, art, family consumer science), and an elevator to improve accessibility.
As part of the recommendation, Mrs. Borders proposed renaming the campus the J. Michael Zimmers Academy at Lawrence to honor J. Michael Zimmers for his decades of service as a teacher, principal and board member. Several board members and attendees praised Zimmers' legacy and supported the recommendation; the board heard the presentation and public remarks from family members in attendance. "Naming the school in his honor would preserve his legacy of leadership, service and student-centered advocacy," Borders said.
No formal naming vote was recorded at the June 1 meeting; board members asked about a ribbon-cutting and expressed support. District staff said details of the move, programming and timeline will be presented for board approval in a subsequent report.
