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Renovated special ed school looks, works better

GRAND RAPIDS — The special education students and staff at Lincoln Developmental Center are now in a building that’s safer, looks better, has improved flexibility and function, and updated technology, according to Principal Steve Kadau.

The school’s 100 students, ages 5 to 26, have cognitive and physical impairments and autism spectrum disorder needs that exceed the capacity of their school districts across Kent County.

“The building is just more modern, up-to-date, and the renovations make the aspects of what we need to do for our students easier,” Kadau said about the school built in the 1970s.

Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD) and Grand Rapids Public Schools Monday, Nov. 5, celebrated the $4.37 million in renovations completed this summer at the school,862 Crahen Road NE.

Next year, another $6 million in renovations will be done at Lincoln School, on the same campus.

Grand Rapids currently operates 11 center-based special education programs, including Lincoln campus, that serve approximately 1,385 students countywide with severe impairments.

However, the school district will transfer operations to the Kent ISD in July for it to run like other ISDs statewide.

“This building refresh was about providing a better experience for our students, staff and parents,” said Mike Hegarty, assistant superintendent of administrative services for Kent ISD.

He said Phase I renovations to Lincoln Development Center were extensive including:

New and larger SXI room for students identified with severe multiple impairments, including cognitive impairment, as well as any combination of impairments such as physical or health.

Placing the main office and main entrance on the same side of the building. The entrance was also redesigned for security, directing visitors into the main office and preventing access to other parts of the building.

Replaced antiquated pool with new and improved sensory room for students with multiple impairments.

Updated technology, including mounted classroom laser projectors. Upgraded classroom spaces.

Redesigned bathrooms to increase size and flexibility.

Cosmetically, there is new painting and flooring throughout the building, better lighting and updated finishes.

Created more storage niches for wheelchairs and other equipment, plus a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, playground and reconfigured driveway.

“While the students here in general are severely cognitively impaired, we push academics, but it is just delivered different and the focus is different,” Kadau said about English, math and social studies.

“A lot of our students have different splinter skills and with enough repetition there are a lot of things they can and do learn. We also include a functional life-skills component into our lessons which is really important for our students.”

He said the new technological capacity helps their teachers engage students better.

Kadau, who has been teacher and administrator in special education for 35 years, said the days of special-needs students just sitting inactive have long been gone.

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