The Examiner U-46 News Feed

U-46 Board ratifies study, realigning sixth-graders

By Seth Hancock
  The Board of Education in School District U-46 unanimously approved, a resolution in support of the work in the facility master plan at its meeting on Monday, March 7.
  The board was presented with the results of a facilities study earlier this year, which recommends the possibility of closing some schools. The approval of the statement creates a committee to discuss the facility master plan.
  “The U-46 Board of Education recognizes that student achievement and academic success requires the development of a comprehensive educational facility master plan that includes an evaluation of enrollment trends, facility usage, facility needs, and the alignment of facilities with instructional goals and practices,” the resolution stated. “The Board further recognizes that an essential component in fulfillment of this mission is community collaboration and involvement in the development and implementation of this educational facility master plan.”
  The top priority of the facility study is to move sixth graders from elementary to middle school. As part of that, the district is looking to identify a location for a ninth middle school.
  Three schools are identified as possibly being decommissioned including Elgin’s Garfield and Streamwood’s Hanover Countryside elementary schools as well as Illinois Park Center for Early Learners in Elgin. Bartlett’s Hawk Hollow is identified as possibly being repurposed from an elementary to middle school.
  Elgin’s Century Oaks, Lowrie and McKinley along with Streamwood’s Glenbrook and Hanover Park’s Parkwood elementary schools have been identified for replacement and Elgin’s Washington Elementary School for renovations.
  In the 2022-2023 school year, the focus is on opening a ninth middle school and revising boundaries. Bidding for construction converting Hawk Hollow into a middle school would begin in June 2023.
  Adjusting boundaries, moving sixth grade to middle school and pre-kindergarten students moving to their home elementary schools is the focus for the following three years of the plan.