I graduated from Lexington High School in 2025, and am proud of the 13 years I spent as an LPS student. Partway through my time at LHS, I became disabled, and it affected my mobility.  

The layout of LHS is not friendly to students with disabilities.  

During inclement weather, I was always fearful of falling. I knew that one wrong move and I could fall. I didn’t know if I would be able to get back up on my own.

I would find that many of the door actuators at the different buildings didn’t necessarily work. That would mean, I would have to find a way to open the door on my own or have someone help me.  

At lunch, I would have to have a friend get me food or not use one of my mobility aids and then hope that no one bumped into me in the tight space of Commons 1 or 2.

During lunch, if there were no seat available (often the case), I would then have to sit on the floor. I would then require help from a friend or staff member to get back up.

The open campus design has built in inefficiencies that were highlighted as a disabled student. I was constantly needing to go up and down elevators in different buildings just to get to classes. The new school simplifies movement for disabled students. Once you’re on a floor, you can simply navigate to your classes. No more travel puzzles to figure out.

The school building itself added additional challenges to my day. Other students also complained to me about the limitations of the LHS campus. Passing time was an experience of more people than space. The classrooms were physically too small, and would often see students going to the hallways to do group work. Despite the best efforts of the maintenance staff, sometimes the rooms were cold in winter; I have memories of wearing my coat during my drama classes to keep warm.

I received support from the administration and staff both in how my accommodations were written and how they were implemented. The culture of the school was always open and welcoming. Other students would go out of their way to help me by opening and holding doors, carrying my tray in the cafeteria, moving so I had a place to sit, and showing general empathy to my situation.  

I had 2 issues to overcome–my physical disability and the building. The current building made learning harder for me and other students with disabilities. My story isn’t unique and many others could share the struggles they have had to overcome due to the school building.

I encourage you to vote Yes for Debt Exclusion for the new High School on Monday, December 8th. We need to create an environment that allows all the students to be successful.

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1 Comment

  1. This letter hits hard and true. It reminds us that building design isn’t just bricks and mortar — it shapes who gets to belong. If you’ve ever struggled to open a door, navigate crowded hallways, or reach a seat in crowded lunchrooms, you know what exclusion feels like. Voting Yes to the new high-school building could finally carve space for dignity, accessibility, and real equality for disabled students — not as an afterthought, but from the ground up

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