Plans to build two new elementary schools in Rockford are back on track.
The Rockford School Board voted last night to proceed with its ten-year facilities plan -- particularly the construction of the two schools that will replace five outdated buildings on the city’s southeast side, at a cost of $42 million.
The board had delayed a vote so members could determine if the district really could afford the schools on top of major renovations and everyday expenses.
Board member Tim Rollins amended the proposal to require that the board and administrators fully fund and monitor all parts of the district’s ten-year master plan. He says he feels that commitment will improve budget conversations for the board, administrators, and the public in the future.
The district’s Chief Operations Officer Todd Schmidt says approval was needed to keep intertwined plans on track:
“We have a timeline. It takes a lot of time to build a new school. We have to do a land acquisition, do all the site preparation work, actually get the building done. And once that building’s done, move all the kids from the older buildings into that building. So, there’s a lot going on right here.”
The first school is scheduled to open in fall of 2018, and the second will open one year later. The district can go ahead and request bids from architects and construction companies and may have some of those decisions made as early as next month.
