The Hendricks family and the Hendricks Family Foundation have made substantial investments in The Lincoln Academy. The school’s purpose is to equip Beloit children with a rigorous academic education, integrate character education and expose children to career exploration from the start of their K12 experience. The school is working. Academic outcomes are strong and continue to improve. Scholars are thriving. This is incredibly important work yet there are nearly 200 students on the current waitlist, and some families have been trying for multiple years to enroll their children in the school. Families and children need and deserve access to high-quality options, and we believe that improving educational outcomes for more children – ensuring they can thrive in the future – is a critical issue affecting the entire city.

We understand there are questions being raised related to the Foundation’s purchase of homes in the Eclipse Park neighborhood adjacent to the school. We are providing this information to help ensure the community has accurate information.

Home purchases

When a home across the street from the school was put on the market several years ago, Hendricks Commercial Properties purchased the home. That home and several others that were acquired were subsequently donated to the Hendricks Family Foundation and we have continued to purchase additional homes in the area since that time.

All purchases in the neighborhood have been voluntary transactions with homeowners. No one has been forced to sell.

Our team has worked incredibly hard to be respectful, compassionate, fair and accommodating in negotiating purchases with homeowners in the neighborhood. Some acknowledge the challenge of moving, yet many share their belief in the school and the importance of the work. There have been a mix of accommodations to support families – flexible terms, fair and above market purchase prices, $1 leases post-purchase to support successful moves, moving allowances, assistance finding and purchasing their next home. Our goal in every situation is to ensure families are in a better place and happy with their next home.

We have purchased rental homes in the neighborhood as well, maintaining some rentals for extended periods of time. Our colleagues at Hendricks Commercial Properties managed these homes with the utmost professionalism. They made timely repairs, and in some circumstances even lowered rents. As tenants navigated moves HCP was flexible with final rent payments, waived some arrears and advanced security deposits to help ensure families could find alternative housing.

TLA Expansion Plan

The plan under consideration calls for an addition on the southeast end of the current school facility. The expansion of the school building encroaches on the first few homes on Morse Avenue resulting in the need for rezoning. A copy of the site map submitted to the city is provided below.