Dear Lincoln Families,
I am writing to share an important update that will affect our schools, our families, and our daily schedules beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. This past fall, we began a deliberate review of our school start times grounded in what is best for our students and focused on building the future of Lincoln Consolidated Schools. I am pleased to confirm that a districtwide bell time realignment has been approved and will take effect this fall.
This goes far beyond standard administrative restructuring. It is a direct investment in the equity, opportunity, and well-being of every student we serve.
This decision was brought forward only after our staff reached full consensus, which was confirmed this past Friday. We are now moving forward with clarity and purpose, and our commitment to Lincoln families is that every step of this transition will be communicated openly and with care.
Why This Change Matters
For our secondary students, aligned schedules remove the scheduling conflicts that have limited access to Career and Technical Education programs offered through the county expanding real world, career connected learning opportunities to more Lincoln students than ever before. We also recognize that the current early start times have created a genuine daily strain for students and staff alike, and this change offers meaningful relief from that pressure.
Our elementary students will benefit from a return to consistency across all buildings, teachers working together at the same time, planning together by grade level across the district. Unified bell times create the dedicated, protected time needed for that collaboration to happen reliably and consistently. Every Lincoln elementary student deserves that regardless of which building they attend.
A unified start time does more than solve today's challenges; it positions Lincoln for what is ahead. As our district continues to grow, evolve, and pursue new opportunities for our students and staff, an aligned schedule provides the stable and flexible foundation that future programming, partnerships, and district advancements will require. Getting our schedule right now means we are not building the future on a fragmented base. It means Lincoln is ready.
Sincerely,
Gregory Smith
Superintendent,
Lincoln Consolidated Schools