Lincoln Public Schools

Dedication of new Arnold Elementary School celebrates strength of neighborhood and community

Originally published on: October 29, 2009

Arnold Elementary School was officially dedicated on a gorgeous autumn Sunday in October, but the celebration was not just about a school – rebuilt just north of its original site.  The celebration was about the strength and power of a neighborhood in Arnold Heights and Lincoln Air Park.

“I see this dedication today not only as a celebration of a school, but also as a celebration of a community and a neighborhood,” Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley told an audience of students, families, Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) staff and community residents.  “Today we not only dedicate a building.  We remember and honor our past – we celebrate our present – and we look to the promise of our future.  Today we dedicate a marvelous new place, a brand new school, but we also recognize the rich history and heritage of Arnold Elementary.”

Principal Kathy Honeycutt greeted students and families to what she called “a much awaited event for the Arnold community, a real cause for celebration.  Arnold is more than an elementary school for this neighborhood.  It is a community center.”

Arnold Elementary School opened 50 years ago in Lincoln Air Park, named after General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, according to Ed Zimmer, a member of the Lincoln Board of Education and historic preservation planner for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department.   “Hap Arnold thought he wanted to be a cavalryman, but instead he flew airplanes into history.”

General Arnold commanded the U. S. Army Air Forces throughout World War II and was promoted to the rank of five-star General of the Army in 1944.  In 1946, he was made a five-star General of the Air Force.  General Arnold is still the only officer to hold the rank of five-star General in two branches of the U.S. military.

When Arnold Elementary School was opened in 1959, General Arnold seemed the perfect namesake for the school that would serve families from the Lincoln Air Force Base.  Arnold opened with 556 students (K-6), with a capacity to serve 850.

After 50 years, that original school building was worn out.  “You can and should re-hab and add on to some existing schools, but sometimes – when there is simply too much wear and tear – replacement is wiser than repair and renovation,” explained Don Mayhew, President of the Lincoln Board of Education.  “The smart decision for Arnold was to rebuild.”

The third of three new schools dedicated this fall by LPS, Arnold is one of four new schools constructed with funding from the community’s 2006 bond election.  Adams Elementary School opened last school year; Schoo Middle School and Kooser Elementary opened this school year.

Arnold features a shared site with the new Dan A. Williams Public Library, a unique collaboration for the community.  “We are roommates,” Pat Leach, Director of Lincoln City Libraries, told the dedication audience.  “This is the only school in Lincoln that has a public library within its building.”

The dedication ceremony was highlighted with student music, a time capsule and a special moment of recognition for the street that leads up to Arnold’s front door.  The street is named after a military hero and former Arnold student Marine Lance Corporal Mike Scholl who died in Iraq.

“He got such a good start at Arnold.  Thank you for this,” said Debbie Chandler, Mike’s mother.  Fighting back tears, she concluded, “He would have been proud of this honor.”

Gourley thanked Scholl’s family “for allowing us to use his name for this special street and for the gift of providing such a perfect role model for our young students at Arnold.”

“Our schools shape our lives, shape our neighborhoods, shape our future,” Gourley continued.  “The new Arnold Elementary School will continue to help shape the lives of the young people here – will strengthen the strong ties of this neighborhood.”