Moving 15 Forward News & Updates
February 24, 2023
District 15 has been very busy since the community approved the $93 million referendum supporting the Moving 15 Forward initiative in November. Again, we are so thankful for the overwhelming support of our community. Below we have shared an update on the work that has been in progress since the approval. This update and all future updates can be found on our Moving 15 Forward website.
Construction
All three Phase 1 projects (Plum Grove, Thomas Jefferson, and Walter R. Sundling) have gone out to bid since the election. Plum Grove and Thomas Jefferson bids came in under budget and have been approved by the Board of Education. Walter R. Sundling went out to bid at the end of January and will be on the March 8, 2023, Board meeting agenda for approval. All three projects will break ground this April.
District administrators have been working on plans for the Phase 1 projects for over a year in collaboration with architects and construction partners and the District’s facility and maintenance teams. The Phase 1 projects for Plum Grove and Walter R. Sundling convert the buildings from junior high schools to middle schools and Thomas Jefferson will be converted from an elementary school to a middle school. Thomas Jefferson will be the first District 15 middle school in Hoffman Estates.
Plum Grove Junior High School improvements include a new cafeteria space, two 3-story classrooms for a total of twelve new general education classrooms, six new science lab spaces, and flexible shared learning commons areas. Site improvements include traffic and paving improvements as well as new play fields and a new track layout.
Thomas Jefferson additions include eleven new classrooms, a new gym and associated supporting spaces, a new cafeteria, three new science labs, and a new commons. Additional renovations include one teacher planning room per grade level, an expanded music room and art room, one new art room, two STEAM labs, and other miscellaneous supporting spaces.
If approved at the March 8, 2023 Board meeting, Walter R. Sundling will receive a new gym, classroom renovations, and a newly located library.
Design planning on the remaining construction projects continues with the district architects and input from principals. Phase 2 projects include Jane Addams, Winston Campus, Frank C. Whiteley, Lincoln School, and Pleasant Hill. The main focus with the Phase 2 projects includes renovating and adding spaces to allow for full day kindergarten. More information about Phase 2 projects will be shared at an upcoming board meeting.
At the Board of Education meeting on April 12, 2023, the District will provide a comprehensive update on the Moving 15 Forward construction plan in partnership with our architect and construction teams.
Financial Information
Bond Sale Update
Following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Baird was selected to serve as senior managing underwriter on the District’s $45,700,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2023 which closed on February 1, 2023.
The proceeds will be used for projects approved by District voters which include altering, repairing, and equipping existing buildings and constructing and equipping building additions, including (but not limited to):
Improving safety and security, replacing roofs, plumbing, and HVAC systems;
Installing energy-efficiency improvements and certain Americans with Disabilities Act compliance measures;
Updating classrooms, science labs, libraries, and instructional technology;
Constructing improvements to establish middle schools and provide full-day kindergarten; and
Improving sites of the District.
Baird assisted in the development of a robust marketing plan to generate interest from retail investors which included publications in the District’s local newspaper, The Daily Herald. To maximize community outreach, Baird also coordinated additional marketing efforts which included an investor presentation/recording and a press release posted to the District’s website.
As a result of their efforts, the Bonds were very well received with over $311 million in orders and oversubscriptions in all maturities. Baird alone brought in $295 million in orders. Overall, mom & pop and professional retail investors submitted approximately $11.3 million in orders, which was a top priority of the District. We were able to lower yields by 4 to 9 basis points on all maturities, which resulted in lower debt service by approximately $295,000. The Bonds achieved an all-in true interest cost of 3.67% over 20 years. The estimated cost for taxpayers with a $300,000 market value home is within the $146 per year or $12.16 per month as presented prior to the election. The District is grateful for all those who contributed toward the successful results generated on this important financing.
Staffing & Professional Development
The Human Resources Department is going out to the schools to be available for any staffing-related questions surrounding the Moving 15 Forward plan. This has provided staff the opportunity to inquire about positions they may be interested in in the coming years.
The District has also started to discuss plans for any professional development needed regarding the changes to full-day kindergarten and middle school programming as part of the Moving 15 Forward plan.
e-Learning Reminder
To support the amount of construction necessary to move all aspects of the Moving 15 Forward plan forward, especially over the summer of 2024, District 15 has submitted an e-Learning Plan for approval so that, should we experience inclement weather during the 2023-24 school year and need to utilize an emergency day, we will not extend the last day of school by utilizing one or more snow days, but will instead call an e-Learning day(s). Again, this will allow a 14-week construction window during the 2023-24 summer break. The el-earning plan has been approved by the North Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education and will be posted to the website soon.
2024-2025 Calendar Under Review
To accommodate construction needs from the Moving 15 Forward plan, the District has adjusted the school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The 2024-2025 draft official school calendar was recommended by both the administration and the Classroom Teachers’ Council (CTC). For the 2024-2025 school year, the District will start the year on Thursday, September 5, 2024, with Early Childhood and Kindergarten classes beginning on Friday, September 6, 2024. The school year is scheduled to end on Friday, June 13, 2025. View the 2024-2025 School Calendar here. The District heard feedback from public comment and is collaborating with District 211 regarding our students transitioning from 8th grade to high school.
The Moving 15 Forward plan is both complex and exciting. We are passionately committed to ensuring this project comes to fruition as seamlessly as possible and are excited to continue to share consistent updates with our community.