Current Events: Loudoun Might Close 4 Old Schools

Aldie School (2011)

Another budget year, another fight to keep Loudoun's older schools open. Lincoln, Aldie, Hamilton, and Hillsboro. I myself am not in favor of closing the schools. Would they be reopened after the Board of Supervisors gives more money to the school system? What happens to the buildings when they're closed? What would happen to the surrounding community if these schools close? What do the kids get out of this, opened or closed, because that's really what this debate should be centered around, not the budget.

Many of these older schools have been on the chopping blocks for years. It's a favorite topic of boards during budget season. My school, Loudoun County High School, has even been up for consideration at least at one time, with the idea for the building to become a new public schools administration building (back when North Street was used).

Middleburg ES is thankfully off of the list, set to become the area's first charter school (yet still under LCPS supervision). Hillsboro is also thinking of this route. Aldie wants to expand. I haven't read of any plans from Lincoln's community.

My big thing is historical preservation. If they are no longer schools, they should be used in other ways that continue to help their surrounding area out in some capacity. Community Centers have been a popular reuse of school buildings here in Loudoun. Others possibilities could be a small shopping area (each room a different store), a town hall, a museum, or even a more creative attraction. Any adaptive reuse while setting aside a little space to honor the building's original purpose would make me happy.

These buildings have made impacts on the Loudoun community, generation after generation. They still have the ability to teach students. I wish the best for all the schools.


In other news, Superintendent Dr. Hatrick is resigning (old news), and Eric Williams, superintendent of York County (down here in Hampton Roads) will be taking his place (new news). I wish him godspeed (and still crossing my fingers for a Hatrick Elementary)


Some articles I looked at while writing for this article:
Closure threat may become reality for Loudoun's small schools
Aldie, in booming Loudoun, pitches school expansion to keep its village feel
Western Loudoun Families Weary Of Small School Fight
Public Hearing Tuesday On Middleburg School Closure

Lincoln Elementary School

   This blog has mostly covered schools that are no longer schools. In my defense, those schools have a lot of history, with twists and turns in their lives. But Loudoun County Public Schools still does have many old operating schools that have just as much history, so I'm going to switch it up today.

   Here is the elementary school I'm crushing on, Lincoln Elementary School. It's old, it's small, it's wonderful. It was love at first sight.

   Lincoln was the first state accredited high school in Loudoun County. It opened in 1908. For a time, it served all grades. When it became overcrowded, the elementary school students were moved to an older school building.

Lincoln High School, 1908 - 1926
Framed photo displayed at the school.

   On April Fool's Day, 1926, there was a fire that burned down the building. The school building was rebuilt to the present building and opened that same year in time for fall classes.

Lincoln School, present day.
Framed photo displayed at the school.

   In 1954, Lincoln was one of the four regional high schools that became elementary schools with the opening of the consolidated Loudoun County High School.

   Lincoln has remained virtually unchanged since then. Two cottages have been added outside the school, security cameras and computers have been added, but other than those, it remains a charming school establishment

The main room/gym/cafeteria/auditorium

Behind the stage is the Library, but also a movable wall
(hasn't been moved in years) so you can extend your stage space

I love the ceiling!

The backside of the school

Lincoln's schoolyard (I visited the school last winter)

  

   Unfortunately, it's one of our county's schools (along with Aldie and Middleburg) that have consistently low enrollment numbers, and it's sometimes suggested to close it down. I worry about it, but I'm glad for the time being that it continues to be open for education.

Sources:
Lincoln ES bookmark - 1926 Fire news article
Lincoln ES 2010 - 2011 handbook
Loudoun Times-Mirror - 6/13/1954 "Lincoln School Closing Marks End of an Era" by Howard T. Brown
Framed historic photos from Lincoln ES

Monday Memories - Lincoln High School 1948

Old yearbooks. They are literal time capsules. Styles change from decade to decade. 3 or 4 old yearbooks can easily fit inside the current ones published by the high schools.

This week, let's look at "Cavalcade," Lincoln High School's 1948 yearbook.

 The man in the above picture is J. Lupton Simpson. A very well-respected man of education in this county. He was principal at Lincoln until Loudoun County HS opened in 1954, where he became vice-principal there from its opening until his retirement in 1966. He died in 1967. In 1976, J. Lupton Simpson MS opened its doors.

Lincoln is still around, but as an elementary school now. Go check it out, I started crushing on this school as soon as I walked in.