When District voters approved an $89 million bond election in November of 2006, the voters were promised two new elementary schools, two new middle schools and in excess of $5 million dollars in repairs to existing facilities. All of the projects were completed on time and within budget. A total of 21 smaller individual projects touching nearly every school in the District were also completed with these funds, many beyond what was promised to the voters.
Fortunately for the voters and through the efforts of District 27J staff, the construction teams involved and a variety of other economic factors, the District was able to stretch these funds even further to serve its families. Project savings were coupled with other available dollars contributed by local developers to purchase a 73 acre site in the western portion of the District which will serve as a future middle and high school site.
Now the remainder of the funds will used to construct phase one of this new school. When announcing the plans for this new school last year, Dr. Rod L. Blunck, Superintendent of Schools, remarked, “The public has often heard me speak of the District striving to get a $1.15 value out of every dollar. These project savings and wise stewardship of taxpayer money are clear examples of these efforts. In effect, the taxpayers will receive a new middle school site, a new high school site and will be getting a new school, all without any additional tax burden. This type of benefit to taxpayers is almost unheard of in this day and age. We are proud of our efforts in being able to offer these benefits to our school community.”
The construction and furnishing of this facility will complete the expenditure of bond funds approved by the voters. According to state statutes, bond funds must be used for capital construction projects and cannot be used for the ongoing operation of schools. Funds to staff and operate the school will come from the general fund of the District as generated by the state per-pupil funding formula.
“While many people might question the timing of this project and any potential impact it might have on the upcoming mill levy election, this is the right decision. We must continue to make it clear - the education of our students is our highest priority. Every decision we make will be based on that priority,” said Dr. Blunck. “Delaying the construction of this project will cause tax penalties on the proceeds of the 2006 election and reduce our ability to educate our students,” he continued.
The project has been designed to match the available funding and is designed at 38,058 square feet. It will provide instructional space for slightly above 300 students, depending on ultimate grade configuration and attendance area decisions. This construction is considered phase one of a multi-phased project and will ultimately yield a student capacity of 900 students. Funding for future construction phases will likely require voter approval sometime in the next few years.
The public is invited to attend any of following events related to the start of construction:
• Neighborhood Meetings: Two meeting have been scheduled to inform the public of the project and answer questions relative to the opening of ES #11. The meetings have been scheduled for Thursday, September 29th, and Tuesday, October 4th, starting at 6:30 pm. They will be held at West Ridge Elementary, 13102 Monaco Street, Thornton, and will be co-hosted by West Ridge Principal Carie Brock and members of the planning and construction departments.
• Groundbreaking Ceremony: The groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday, October 6th, at 10:30 am.
