Weeks after choosing not to ask voters to approve $75 million in building bonds in November, Kaneland School District 302 officials are considering a $54 million referendum measure for the spring.
“We’re trying to get our ducks in a row to talk to the Board of Education by Thanksgiving,” said Assistant Supt. Thomas Runty. “We want to be able to explain to the public exactly why we need this money.”
About $33 million of the proposed $54 million bond issue would pay for a new middle school on Harter Road, just west of Illinois Highway 47 between Elburn and Sugar Grove. Another $10.8 million would upgrade Kaneland Middle School with a new library, gymnasium, science wing and remodeled classrooms.
The upgrade would enable Kaneland to offer the same educational programs that the new middle school would be built to accommodate, Runty said.
The rest of the money would provide for an addition to Blackberry Creek Elementary School in Elburn and maintenance at the district’s three other elementary schools.
While lower-than-anticipated enrollment increases at the elementary level allowed the district to put off building more schools, overcrowding at the middle school is reaching a crisis point, Runty said.
“We have 970 lockers and 980 kids this year. We have nine mobile classrooms, all in use, and a number of teachers going from room to room working from carts. We could get by another year if we know relief is on the horizon, but without this money, we won’t get that relief,” he said.
If voters approve a referendum measure this spring, the new middle school could open in August 2009, Runty said. If the referendum fails, officials will reconsider moving some middle school classes into empty space at Kaneland High School.