Earlier this week, Clinton Schools leadership presented a plan to restructure Douglass and Lincoln's early elementary schools.

The plan would move Pre-K to Douglass School and Kindergarten and first grade to Lincoln School. Superintendent Drew Goebel indicates this has been talked about for many years and he felt it was time to finally do something about it. Director of Curriculum for Clinton Schools, Kara Jensen says there are currently a lot of issues. 

One of the benefits of the plan is the Clinton Pre-K program will expand. According to Douglass and Lincoln Schools Principal Jessica Patrick, there is currently a waitlist for the program, but this move will allow them to admit every student into the program.

According to Goebel, this kind of change is happening in various places in central Illinois. He indicates it is a shift away from what is termed 'neighborhood schools' and going to what is called 'an attendance center'.

The decision doesn't come without some disagreement about how things will look. Jensen admits most staff understand why the change is happening but there are differences of opinion about where students should be housed. Patrick points out the space issue to expand the Pre-K program was a huge factor in the decision. 

Goebel points out, this is all a temporary solution to a long-term plan to add a new early elementary building in the seven to ten years in Clinton.

The plan for the restructuring of the buildings would be for the 2026-27 school year.