A proposal under which Ellis and Abbott middle schools in Elgin would close and a new middle school adjacent to Hilltop Elementary School built will be voted on at next week’s District U-46 School Board meeting.
Board members were briefed on the plan Monday night and also told the transition of sixth-grade classes into the middle school system would be postponed until the 2026-27 school year and additions built onto Kimball Middle School in Elgin and Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin.
“We feel a sense of urgency to make decisions on these projects given the current construction environment, with long lead times, supply chain issues and rising costs,” Chief of Staff Brian Lindholm said.
“But we also feel a sense of urgency to bring these updates to our facilities so that more U-46 students will be able to experience the safe and modern learning experiences and environments that they all deserve,” he said.
The new middle school would be built on 12.4 acres of undeveloped land at 2604 Rohrssen Road, an Elgin site the district is in the process of buying. Because it’s in the Ellis attendance area, those student will be able to move to that school, according to the board presentation.
Kimball and Kenyon Woods expansions would allow student enrollment to increase from about 800 to 1,125 students at each school.
The district is currently in the process of transforming Hawk Hollow Elementary School in Bartlett into a middle school for 750 students. Officials said the renovation cost will not be known until the bidding process is complete.
The district’s other middle schools — Canton and Tefft in Streamwood, Eastview in Bartlett and Larsen in Elgin — may require updates, such as secure front entrances, updated science labs, and space for STEM, career and technical education, according to the presentation.
Lela Majstorovic, deputy superintendent of instruction, said the move to a 6th-to-8th grade middle school model will free up more capacity in elementary schools, allowing the district to offer more preschool programming, eliminate mobile classrooms and provide dedicated rooms for art, music and other classes.
The new middle school is estimated to cost between $90 million and $130 million, Kimball’s price tag would be between $40 million and $60 million, and the bill for Kenyon Woods would be $30 million to $40 million, according to the presentation.
Elllis and Abbott schools have limitations that are difficult to overcome, Majstorovic said. With small lots, changing elevations and accessibility issues, updating the buildings is not cost effective, she said.
Funding for the construction work will come from the sale of bonds and surplus money being held in reserve, Deputy Superintendent Ann Williams said.
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As for the elementary schools, staff is continuing to work with consultants to analyze each building related to recommendations made last year by the Unite-46 committee, Williams said. A construction management services agreement will be brought to the board at next week’s meeting that will provide time lines and cost estimates.
Board member Kate Thommes said she’s anticipating the positive changes the improvements will produce.
“It’s just really very exciting that we will be able to bring these buildings to these kids.”
To keep residents updated on plans and to gather feedback, a public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, in Elgin High School library, Lindholm said.
Parent Katrina Neal spoke at Monday night’s meeting about her thoughts on closing Ellis.
“I am asking and begging to the board, to operations, to all of you that although you are intending to retire Ellis, that you would continue to work on the small facility’s plan and (have) updates like a bike rack, brighter hallways and a new parking lot,” Neal said.
“I believe if we do at least some of these things, it will give students still there for the next three years a sense that Ellis is still prideful,” she said.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.