LPS District Office celebrates five-year homecoming

What a difference five years makes.

Five years ago, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel was saying, “Welcome home,” to all LPS District Office folks moving into a brand new LPS headquarters in the aftermath of a tragic 2011 fire. 

Five years ago this fall, the brand new center for public education in Lincoln re-opened for business.

Five years ago, we celebrated the spirit of renewal and hope, an even stronger public school district and a milestone in the legacy of excellence at LPS. 

Tuesday morning everyone at District Office stepped outside and paused a moment to celebrate that memorable homecoming.

“We do it right here at LPS – we took a tragedy and made it into a blessing,” said Lincoln Board of Education President Connie Duncan.  “I cannot thank all of you enough – for all of your work for our most valuable asset, our children.”

Rob McEntarffer, an assessment/evaluation specialist at LPS who represented all District Office employees with his remarks, stressed the importance of what is happening inside all our schools and classrooms on any given school day, “and that could not happen without our work.”

Joel agreed and commended the Board of Education for the “difficult and wise decision” to return and build at 59th and O streets.    

“Five years ago we saw a tremendous spirit of recovery as we returned to this building …. A building where we work behind the scenes to make sure students benefit … a building where people commit and believe in our community’s children.”

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