Building for Success
A better tomorrow for our students
We are grateful to the community for their support in building a better tomorrow for District 58 students with updated, modern schools. On Nov. 8, 2022, the District 58 community voted to repair and improve District 58’s 13 school facilities by selling $179 million in bonds.
This web page is to keep you informed of updates on the referendum construction projects.
Overview of project
The benefits are many to these projects. Our schools are between 55 and 96 years old and need significant repairs. These improvements will make our buildings safer and more secure, extend the useful life of existing facilities, reduce emergency repairs, enhance ADA accessibility, create classrooms that can leverage instructional technology, improve the middle school experience and free up needed space at the elementary schools.
Specifically, the referendum goals were fourfold:
- Create safer and more secure learning environments, including more secure vestibules at all of our school buildings
- Provide air conditioning in all of our schools (two already are air-conditioned) and address air quality, ventilation and energy efficiency
- Transition sixth grade to our current seventh-eighth grade middle schools, which would help address overcrowding in the elementary schools
- Address critical infrastructure investments, like replacing outdated mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and making state-mandated repairs
Timeline
The project is divided into three phases. Phase I construction work begins in the spring/summer of 2024 on the largest projects – additions and renovations at the two middle schools, O’Neill and Herrick, as well as on the four Phase 1 elementary schools.
Middle Schools
Construction at the two middle schools began over spring break 2024. District 58 anticipates that most of the new construction will be completed by fall 2025. This will allow students to move into the new spaces, while crews renovate the older parts of the building, before completing all projects by 2026.
View the Herrick schedule.
View the O’Neill schedule.
Elementary Schools
Construction at the elementary schools will be conducted in three phases over three years. The interior renovations that could impact elementary students will occur during the summers.
- Phase 1 Construction/ Summer of 2024: Henry Puffer, Highland, Hillcrest and Whittier
- Phase 2 Construction/ Summer of 2025: Fairmount, Indian Trail, Kingsley and Lester
- Phase 3 Construction/ Summer of 2026: Belle Aire, El Sierra and Pierce Downer
Learn more about the timeline.
View a visual of the general timeline.
View Projects at a Glance by school.
Middle School Dashboards
Here are dashboards of progress, photos, a webcam and other updates at the two middle schools in partnership with Contractor Bulley & Andrews.
Questions?
District 58 is committed to sharing progress on our referendum construction projects. If you have a question and do not see the information contained on this webpage, there are additional options for obtaining more information:
- Contact your school principal.
- Attend the monthly neighborhood meeting with our Construction Contractor Bulley & Andrews. They will address items such as milestone dates, construction traffic, work hours, parking and answer questions related to onsite construction.
If you have questions that cannot be answered in the above areas, please fill out this form and we will route to the appropriate personnel. Please allow 10 working days for a response. Questions that are relevant to a general audience will be included in FAQs and posted on this webpage.
Additional Resources:
Please click the links below to learn more about District 58 facility planning: