District 52 voters will decide the future of the two-school district Tuesday.
On the election ballot is a referendum to sell $23 million in bonds to build a new Lincoln Grade School on the more than 32-acre campus of Washington Middle School. A similar referendum in 2023 failed by just 68 votes (853-785).
If the referendum passes, the owner of a home valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $11 per month in property taxes to the district for 25 years, based on current market interest rates. The increase is $25 per month for the owner of a home valued at $200,000 and $38 per month for the owner of a home valued at $300,000.
District 52's current property tax rate of $2.97 per $100 equalized assessed valuation is the lowest among the 11 K-8 districts in Tazewell County. The rate will increase to $3.46 per $100 EAV if the referendum passes, fourth highest among the 11 K-8 districts.
The new school will be ready for students at the start of the 2027-28 school year.
There's a lot wrong with the current Lincoln, which was built in 1949 and serves more than 400 K-4 students this school year.
District officials say it's an aging building with out-of-date and inefficient infrastructure, learning spaces that are too small for today's educational needs, and hallways that are crowded and often needed for instruction. The newest grade-level classrooms are more than 50 years old.
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance is needed throughout the building, and poor ventilation and air quality cause health concerns, according to district officials.
Principal Heather Bowman said there can be a 20-degree temperature difference, from too cool to too warm, in classrooms that are across the hall from each other. The temperature range in the school is from 65 to 82 degrees, according to district officials.
More than $280,000 has been spent on HVAC, doors and roof work at the school at 303 Jackson St., since the 2022-23 school year.
If the referendum fails, district officials say more than $19 million will be needed to renovate Lincoln to meet state health, life and safety laws.
A phased approach to the renovation work could drive costs as high as $23 million, district officials predict, which will raise the property tax rate higher than the increase needed for the referendum.
Here are some of the benefits of having both Lincoln and Washington Middle School on the same campus on North Main Street, according to district officials:
- Cost savings for the district.
- Safer and improved traffic flow on the campus for buses and students drop-offs.
- Shared spaces and personnel that will maximize resources.
- Lincoln's new gym will have a storm shelter.
- The district office will remain at Lincoln, but be closer to Washington Middle School.
- The campus will remain walkable and bike-friendly for students and families.
Whether the referendum passes or not, the District 52 School Board will have a new look following the election. All four incumbents on the seven-member board whose terms are expiring this year opted not to run for re-election.
Board President David Robinson, Secretary Jessica Leach, Dan Baker and Tim Custis are stepping down.
Candidates Andrew Kistner, John Mitchell, Abby Novak, Bradley Rose, Jeffrey Vallosio and Shelby Yocum are running for the four vacant seats.
Kistner said he supports the referendum.
"It will ensure our children are provided the best education and a better opportunity to excel in the future," he said.
Kistner said he's spent quite a bit of time in the current Lincoln building the last four years as a parent and volunteer, and he's seen first-hand "how inefficient, overcrowded and old it is."
With a new Lincoln, "student and teacher collaboration will take place inside of a classroom and not in a hallway," he said.
It doesn't appear Lincoln will be demolished in the referendum passes. The Washington Park District is interested in acquiring the building and using it for recreation programs.
