Moving 15 Forward News & Updates
April 2023
A comprehensive update on our exciting Moving 15 Forward initiative was shared with the Board of Education at its April 12, 2023 meeting. You can view the presentation here.
Superintendent Laurie Heinz; James Kaplanes, Director of Facilities and Operations; Diana McCluskey, CSBO; architects from both Wold and Arcon; members of the Nicholas and Associates construction management team; Elizabeth Hennessey from Raymond James; and an RSP boundary consultant all contributed to a detailed status overview of the planning and implementation already underway following the successful November referendum.
Overall, the report notes that our Moving 15 Forward initiative is in fact moving forward quite nicely. Construction projects have been scheduled in four phases. Here are the highlights.
PHASE 1 IS UNDERWAY
Phase 1 projects include work at Plum Grove Junior High School, Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary. The team reported on the bid processes conducted for this work; the team was delighted to report that bids came in under budget.
Site logistics and final renderings for work at these Phase 1 schools were shared; Board members responded very positively. The team reviewed the staging of work completed over spring break as well as summer construction efforts. As with any construction project, safety discussions, careful planning, actionable timelines as well as community communication have been and will continue to be intentional and ongoing.
Here are the details at these three sites:
Plum Grove Middle School
Plum Grove Transition from Junior High to Middle School
Over spring break, construction fencing was installed on a portion of the PG track. Thankfully, most lanes of the track will continue to be available for practice through the end of the school year, but a few were needed so crews were able to prepare for construction.
Following spring break through the summer of 2023, planned construction and associated site impact will include a new temporary construction entrance where the old fire station entrance exists. In preparation to fully utilize every day this summer, some construction activity will be underway through the end of the school year and this summer.
Plum Grove Site Utilization Plan
Plum Grove Renderings
To view additional renderings of to view the renderings larger, visit www.ccsd15.net/domain/4330.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Conversion of Thomas Jefferson Elementary to Middle School Construction
Over spring break, construction fencing was installed and outside areas were identified for students and the community to continue to utilize green spaces and play areas at TJ.
As with any construction project, safety is always a top priority. Students will have no access to the construction zone while construction is taking place. A temporary egress plan has been developed, reviewed by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department and implemented to ensure students have no access to the construction zone and would be able to evacuate in the event of an emergency.
TJ Site Utilization Plan
TJ Renderings
To view additional renderings of to view the renderings larger, visit www.ccsd15.net/domain/4330.
Walter R. Sundling Middle School
Walter R. Sundling Transition from Junior High to Middle School
Over spring break, construction fencing was installed. There will continue to be access to the track. Construction work has begun and will continue through Summer 2023.
WRS Site Utilization Plan
WRS Renderings
To view additional renderings of to view the renderings larger, visit www.ccsd15.net/domain/4330.
FUTURE PHASES:
Phase 2 Projects
Phase 2 projects are intended to go out to bid this summer in July. Design updates and bids for Phase 2 projects will be shared at the May 10, 2023 Board meeting so stay tuned!
Phase 3 & 4 Projects
Phase 3 plans for Gray M. Sanborn, Kimball Hill, and Willow Bend will go to bid in early fall 2023 with a spring 2024 start. Phase 3 work includes expansions and interior renovations.
Phase 4 plans for Central Road, Lake Louise, Marion Jordan, and Virginia Lake will go to bid in late fall of 2023 with a summer 2024 start.
More information on projects at these seven schools will be shared closer to their construction dates.
Updates to 1-5 Year Master Facility Plan
The reason this plan is so essential is because it allows the Business Department to link content within the plan to the district's overall budget. It also helps the team prioritize areas of needs versus wants throughout the District’s 20 schools and 3 auxiliary buildings.
As part of Phase 1 planning and decision making, other aspects of the plan are also in motion. Enhanced security cameras have been vetted and ordered with a summer installation planned.
We are in the midst of determining what type of furniture is needed for full-day kindergarten, grade 6 students and teachers heading to their new middle schools, as well as new furniture for cafeterias and other new learning spaces.
Speaking of Full-Day Kindergarten…
District 15 is thrilled to be able to finally bring full-day kindergarten to our elementary schools beginning in the 2024-2025 school year! Full-day kindergarten will offer more instructional time as well as more personalized learning opportunities for our students, improving outcomes for our young learners. More time in the day will allow District 15 to more effectively teach the academic and social-emotional skills that students need to be successful in first grade and beyond. In addition to more time on the core subjects and social-emotional skills, it is important to note that the State curriculum is designed for a full-day program, leaving our teachers in a daily race against time. A full-day kindergarten program will now allow our teachers to fully utilize the curricular resources provided to them and allow our students to thrive.
Library Center Upgrades
Back in 2020, in partnership with our one-five Foundation, Gray M. Sanborn (GMS) was the first of District 15 schools to receive a new Library. Our focus was on creating a space that allows students to engage in learning actively. The environment is both functional and inviting. Books are organized on open shelves in order to improve access and make them the stars in the space. Furnishings are flexible, ergonomic, and mobile. Learning spaces are designed around different types of activities including: whole group instruction; learning from/with peers; independent learning; and learning through hands-on application. Other improvements include: painting, environmental graphics/signage, updated lighting and ceiling, and new carpet.
Since then, the following schools' Libraries have been updated – Virginia Lake, Lake Louise, Winston Campus, Willow Bend, Carl Sandburg Junior High, Plum Grove Junior High and Walter R. Sundling.
This summer will reflect another round of Libraries being updated. Schools include Kimball Hill, Central Road, Hunting Ridge, Marion Jordan, and Conyers Learning Academy.
Updates to the Capital Financing Plan
Elizabeth Hennessy of Raymond James presented an updated rendition of the capital financing plan. The District issued $50M of referendum bonds in December 2022. Moving 15 Forward has a large amount of work taking place in FY2024. The updated financing plan also included an increase in furniture prioritization, making the 5-year capital plan slightly higher than originally presented. The District will be issuing the remaining $43M in referendum bonds and the $36M non-referendum debt-certificate portion most likely in Fall 2023. The $36M in debt-certificate bonds are paid from the District’s operating funds.
The District’s interest rate for the $50M in referendum bonds was better than projected at 3.67%, locking in the first $50M. The next $43M is scheduled for November 2023. We are currently spot on with our promise to the taxpayers in regard to our referendum bonds.
Enrollment Analysis
Robert Schwarz from RSP & Associated presented an enrollment analysis for District 15. Based on the birth rate information including national and state trends, live births have been decreasing. Based on this variable, the kindergarten classes moving forward are forecasted to be between 766 to 855 students on the low end and 956 to 1,067 students on the high end.
However, the district had a positive net gain of transfer students for the past two years. Migration in and out of the district has increased, resulting in more student turnover than in previous years.
As of today, district enrollment is 10,487, which remains steady when compared to the past five years.
The largest potential area of growth within District 15 boundaries is the Arlington Racetrack development which includes mixed-use residential and business growth. We continue to engage with Village officials in Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates in order to stay ahead of future housing development.
This project is quite an undertaking. It continues to be a great deal of work, but the impact it will have on our schools, students, staff and community make it all worthwhile!