In 1928, Niles Center School, now known as Lincoln Jr. High School in Skokie, Illinois, was built during the height of the depression. The building featured a crimson red brick facade and decorative limestone overlays that gave the building a cathedral like facade. The school was initially opened as an elementary school.

In 1929, the district took bids to design and construct a four room addition to the school. This addition, like the initial design and construction, featured the crimson red brick facade, long, vertical windows, and decorative limestone. This addition, designed by an expert from the Chicago Art Institute, also featured twin rotund extensions from the original building. These rotund extensions were in keeping with the regal facade of the main entrance to the school on the south end at the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Babb Street in Skokie, Illinois.

Throughout the past 91 years, this architectural gem has undergone at least four other additions or renovations. On each occasion, the district 69 school board adopted plans that mirrored the original design of the building and was careful to preserve the original character of the building. Even the addition of the quirky boy's gym in the 1950's attempted to accomplish this goal.

In 2015, the School Board adopted a plan to place a steel and glass box-like structure that obscures the majestic facade of the main south entrance. The new structure was completely out of character with the rest of the school building, and failed to respect the historical architectural design of the building.

The renovation that was accomplished in 2015, cost the School Board over four million dollars. Now the School Board is proposing to demolish Lincoln Junior High School and build a new school at a cost of 45 million dollars. It seems that the renovation in 2015 was a complete waste of taxpayers' money.

Now the School Board wants to demolish the school and build a new structure, which is the most expensive option the School Board considered. The least expensive option was to add on to the existing school and keep the general character of the school intact.

Lincoln Junior High School, along with St. Peter's Church and the Skokie Theater, are the only buildings in Skokie that honor Skokie's heritage and history. Without these three buildings, the Village of Skokie has no architectural gems to call its own. I believe the School Board should reconsider its position and, at the very least, keep the facade of the building and renovate from there.