Lakewood Superintendent Recommends Repurposing Elementary School, Redrawing Boundaries by 2027

Lakewood City Schools Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki has recommended repurposing Lincoln Elementary School into an early learning center by 2027 as part of a plan to consolidate the district's seven elementary schools due to declining enrollment. The proposed changes aim to minimize disruption to students, reduce the need for crossing major roads, and position the district for projected population growth near the city center. Additional recommendations include relocating specialized programs such as CHAMPS, RISE, and the self-contained gifted program to different schools, along with updating playground facilities. The plan has sparked controversy, with community opposition led by the group Preserve Lakewood Schools, which argues that closures would negatively impact the city's vitality and property values, and has even resulted in legal disputes over meeting transparency. The school board is set to vote on the proposal in October, and if approved, all elementary school boundaries will be redrawn for the 2027–2028 school year. Superintendent Niedzwiecki emphasized that the decisions balance fiscal responsibility, enrollment trends, and the commitment to maintaining quality learning environments.