March LPS Community High School Task Force at Northeast

The Lincoln Public Schools Community High School Task Force held its final monthly meeting on Thursday at Lincoln Northeast High School, wrapping up committee work to study high school enrollment, priorities and facilities – and starting to finalize recommendations.

“As you review recommendation proposals, here’s what I would like you to ask yourself today,” said Liz Standish, associate superintendent for Business Affairs, who is facilitating the Task Force: “Is this a recommendation that makes sense, that I could stand by?  And, is there a recommendation I was expecting to see – but don’t?”

Thursday, committee members circulated among stations to review proposed recommendations from all the committees:

Subcommittee on Focus Programs/Innovative Delivery: “Great conversation, increased understanding of challenges....in order to focus on career ready and college ready…and what tools are needed.”

Subcommittee on Traditional High School/School Size: “We are getting close to our working statements and will be ready to move ahead.”

Subcommittee on City Growth/Capacity Needs.  “We realize the amount of growth we’re seeing in Lincoln…with a lot of facts and figures presented, and we will base our recommendations on those numbers.”

Subcommittee on Community/Student/Diversity: “Our subcommittee plays a unique role in that we impact all the other subcommittees. We will be asking for feedback from all of the other groups.”

“This is important work,” LPS Superintendent Steve Joel told the group Thursday.  “You’ve done a great job thinking about this in a deep and robust way.  This is a critical question that needs to be answered and planned for…I thank you for your commitment and diligence.” 

The Task Force’s recommendations will be presented at the April 24 Lincoln Board of Education meeting.  After that, the Board and superintendent will take those recommendations and opt for a variety of follow-up choices:  Community quadrant meetings for a high school conversation, presentations to community groups, and eventually a new community group that will examine not just the need for high school facilities but for all LPS facilities.

The Task Force – made up of about 70 community citizens and LPS educators – was formed to investigate community options and priorities for serving high school students.  They met monthly throughout the school year at all six public high schools.

Last year, LPS served 11,677 high school students, and by 2021, LPS is expected to have 13,344 high school students.  Last year three high schools had enrollments of more than 2,000 students: Lincoln North Star High School, Lincoln Southeast High School and Lincoln High School – and this year Lincoln East High School joined that list. 

Task Force Co-Chairs:

  •       Gloria Eddins
  •       Bob Rauner

Date

Location

Time

September 28th, 2017

East High School

1000 S. 70th Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

October 26th, 2017

North Star High School

5801 N. 33rd Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

November 30th, 2017

Southeast High School

2930 S. 37th Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

January 25th, 2018

Lincoln High School

2229 J Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

February 22nd, 2018

Southwest High School

7001 S. 14th Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

March 22, 2018

Northeast High School

2635 N. 63rd Street

Meeting 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Optional Tour at 3:30 p.m.

 


Published: March 22, 2018, Updated: March 22, 2018