LPS holds open forum for public input

High schools in Lincoln are reaching their full capacity. LPS wants your input.

Several people attended an open forum at Lux Middle School. It was the first of four forums LPS plans on hosting.

With increasing enrollment trends, the board of education asked for a community group coupled with district staff to make recommendations for the future of high schools.

This group is called the High School Task Force.

“My daughter will be in high school by the time these are going under construction or being built so I have invested interest in making sure she’s getting you know what we feel is getting the best educational experience she can at a high school level,” said Gary Claus.

There are six public high schools in Lincoln. Four of them will have over 2,000 students and the other two are close to reaching that high capacity.

Themes that were brought up in prior conversation were hung up on the wall. The public was able to put sticker dots by the areas they consider top priorities.

After the forums are over, what’s next?

“Information and input from the community will be forwarded on to a task force that the superintendent will call together, to look at facility needs for the school district and plan for the future,” said associate superintendent for business affairs, Liz Standish.

Many people say security is top priority, following design elements that allow for expansion.

We asked a parent what he envisions high schools to look like when his daughter is old enough to begin.

“I hope it’s a very large bright welcoming space that she’s thrilled to be in. I mean hopefully she hears about it from her friends that are slightly older than her that they couldn’t wait to go to that school that they just want to be in that facility. I’m hopeful she will find that experience,” said Claus.

If you are interested in attending the rest of the forums, here is the schedule:

Monday, September 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Culler Middle School

Monday, October 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Goodrich Middle School

Tuesday October 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Park Middle School