Renovation, Addition Plans Mapped For Each School
The Board of Education is asking the community to approve a $94.9 million bond referendum on the April 1 ballot. The proposal was developed with community input as part of the district's Building Tomorrow Together community engagement program and is based on needs identified in a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan.
DLA Architects has developed plans for school additions and renovations as outlined in the Facilities Master Plan that can be built with $20 million of district operating funds and the proposed $94.9 million bond referendum. The basic floor plans outline square footage and renovations possible within the funding allocations for each school.
If the referendum passes, there will be a one-year design phase where the architects and the district will gather input from staff, students and the community to finalize designs. It is expected that the district would break ground in summer 2026 at all the schools at the same time to capitalize on economies of scale.
Download the Architect's Drawings
Building Updates/Renovation Details
5 Facts About The Bond Referendum
1. The plan will keep schools safe and up to date
Our buildings are 60 to 75 years old, and they are showing their age. The building plan will update safety and security, make the school more accessible, and ensure our classrooms are equipped to support today's best practices in curriculum and instruction.
2. Our students perform in the top 1% of the state.
D28 is one of the top-achieving elementary districts in the state of Illinois. Taking steps to address overcrowding and improve learning environments will give our teachers and students the support they need to continue to achieve at high levels.
3. It keeps neighborhoods strong.
Our schools are a source of pride for this community and often one of the first things people consider when choosing where to live. Making improvements now will provide improved learning environments for today's students and generations of future students. Failing to address needs today will only result in higher costs in the future.
4. It’s a cost-effective plan.
Replacing, as opposed to renovating, an aging Meadowbrook School is a better use of funds and results in a new school that needs minimal maintenance or repair for many years to come. In addition, because of responsible financial planning, the district can cover $20 million of the total cost of improvements. For a median home value of $500,000, the cost of this proposal is $1.88 a day.
5. It protects what’s important.
Students are learning and achieving but our buildings are showing their age. Our schools represent more than a $300 million investment by our community. To protect that investment, we must keep them in good working condition.
Hear Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson, Chief School Business Official Jessica Donato and two members of the Facilitating Team, Tamara Reese and Steve Szumowski talk about the process and answer questions about the $94.9 million referendum on our Insight28 Podcast.
Tax Calculator
Calculate the impact of the $94.9 million bond referendum based on your property value from your most recent property tax bill.
How To Vote
Election Day is Tuesday, April 1 and the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Early Voting
Early voting starts March 17 and runs through March 31 at village hall. Hours are:
- Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make a plan to vote if you’re going somewhere on Spring Break.
44 Years of Maintenance And Capital Projects
District 28 has funded capital projects and maintenance including HVAC, roofing, asbestos abatement, NBJH gym floor & curtain, Westmoor gym floor, playground repaving, and life safety work with operating funds and reserves.
Much like a used car, the older the buildings are, the more expensive the repairs.
- There are A/C units on all of the buildings that have obsolete refrigerants and can no longer be serviced.
- Boilers are nearing the end of their useful lives and roofing needs to be replaced.
- There is original galvanized pipe plumbing in all the buildings, which leaks and often require repairs on an emergency basis.
- The school bathrooms are not ADA compliant and are running out of room.
That’s why the district hired a firm to conduct a Facilities Master Plan to identify needs for the next 10 years.
The plan recommended $80 million of potential building improvements for the four buildings in the areas of accessibility, life safety, security, maintenance, and capital improvements.
The district can't generate enough funds from the existing sources to meet facilities needs. Here's a breakdown:
- $79.7 million recommendation
- -$19.7 million from district operating funds
- -$3.6 million removed from plan to be completed internally
- $56.4 million total unfunded projects
Renovation vs. Replacement
Given the high cost of renovations and repairs, we asked the architects to compare renovation to replacement costs for Meadowbrook. For comparison purposes, the renovation costs include added square footage to make a renovated school of comparable size to a new school that would include future needs and enhancements to learning environments.
- Renovation = $35 million
- Replacement = $55 million
- Renovation = 64% of new construction
Replace Meadowbrook, Renovate Other Schools
- $94.9M Bond Funds
- + $20M in Funding from District Operating budget
- =$115 Million
- Timeline to Completion: 3-5 Years
- Builds new Meadowbrook Elementary
- Fully fund renovations and updates recommended in Facilities Master Plan for other schools.
- Starts long-range replacement cycle of our schools
Funding Sources
District 28 is limited to using operating funds and reserve funds to pay for building improvements.
The district has been debt-free since 1981
92% of Illinois School Districts use bonds to pay for large capital improvements. Until now, District 28 has been able to fund maintenance and capital projects with its reserves, or savings accounts. The district has committed $20 million from its reserves for this project, but it isn't enough.
The board is asking for $94.9 million in bonds to fund building improvements, which will be paid back over 25 years. Cost to the owner of a home with a market value of $500,000 is approximately $630 per year. Use the tax calculator on this page to determine the estimated cost to your household.
Updates/Renovations
Meadowbrook School
Replacement = $56 million
Studies show that it is more cost-effective to replace, rather than repair, Meadowbrook Elementary School. Renovation and repair of that school costs 64% of the price of new construction. New construction results in a school with minimal maintenance and repairs for years to come.
The two-story building would be constructed behind the existing building. With the construction site enclosed for safety, the old school would operate during construction, allowing children to stay with their school community. If funding is approved, the concept would be developed into a detailed design with input from students, staff and community.
Plans for a new gymnasium will move forward regardless of referendum outcome. It would be attached to the rear of the existing building.
Northbrook Junior High
Opened in 1959
Major Proposed Projects = $20.6 million
- Renovate front entrance and office area to improve security and accessibility.
- Renovate front lobby area to create a two-story open area hub that connects the front and back wings of the building.
- Renovate the exterior facade and bring in more natural light with possible floor-to-ceiling windows in the library, which is situated above the entrance.
- Build an addition with larger cafeteria and flexible performance space, a larger kitchen and commons area.
- Update fire alarm system and sprinkler system.
- Renovate existing bathrooms for ADA compliance.
- Renovate existing cafeteria into a three classrooms.
Greenbriar School
Opened in 1949
Major Proposed Projects = $20.3 million
- Build a new classroom wing addition behind the gymnasium to replace the 75-year-old classroom wing along Greenbriar Lane.
- Build a new cafeteria/flexible auditorium, stage and commons area where the old classroom wing is located.
- Renovate existing multipurpose room/cafeteria and adjacent classrooms into a STEM lab, music and art classrooms.
- Improve entrance security.
- Update fire alarm, sprinkler and P.A. systems.
- Renovate existing bathrooms throughout the building for ADA compliance.
- Add bathrooms in the east wing.
- Update playgrounds and improve accessibility.
- Add parking north and east of the building.
- Remodel corridors to update lockers, carpet and create break-out learning spaces.
Westmoor School
Opened in 1966
Major Proposed Projects=$13.7 million
- Add a cafeteria with flexible performance space.
- Improve entrance security.
- Update fire alarm, sprinkler, and P.A. systems.
- Renovate existing bathrooms throughout the building for ADA compliance.
- Replace obsolete HVAC units.
- Remodel existing multipurpose room to classrooms and new ADA-compliant bathrooms.
- Replace old playground equipment and improve accessibility.
Owner Costs &Contingencies = $4 million
Total cost = $115 million
Funding sources
$94.9 million Bond Issue
If approved by referendum, the bond issue would cost the owner of a home valued at $500,000 an estimated $630 per year, or $1.73 per day.
$20 million District Operating Funds
Existing funding sources would provide expenditures out of operating funds.
Total cost = $115 million
Building Tomorrow Together
Details of the Community Engagement to create the referendum plan, including community engagement workshops, community survey and community feedback.
Visit Building Tomorrow Together