U-46 gives progress report on multiple school construction projects, schedules Kimball completion for July 2026

The School District U‑46 Board of Education heard a multi‑site facilities update Friday that outlined construction timelines, site design changes and next steps for projects ranging from middle‑school additions to a proposed high‑school stadium.

District staff described the Kimball Middle School project as the most complex on the schedule, with significant renovations to the existing building plus a roughly 50,000‑square‑foot addition. Administration said the addition is expected to be under roof by January 2026 and that the project is on track for completion in July 2026. Work this fall will focus on structural steel, additional masonry and interior fit‑out.

The update covered renovations at Kenyon Woods — where contractors have installed windows, ductwork and mechanical units — and the planning and design phase for two elementary schools, Century Oaks Elementary (Elgin) and Glenbrook Elementary (Streamwood). Century Oaks and Glenbrook, both built in the 1970s, will receive major renovations to improve circulation, security and accessibility. The district said it will add six mobile classrooms during the 2026–27 school year to relocate students away from active construction zones.

At Glenbrook, administration reported a competitive public bid opening on Sept. 18 that produced nearly 100 bids across 16 bid packages and said the district has requested a special‑use permit from the Village of Streamwood for site expansion. For the Century Oaks and Glenbrook projects the district said staff and families were generally supportive and that more detailed schedules, including anticipated ground‑breaking dates, will be provided in future updates.

The board also received an initial design preview for a new middle school to be built on the former David C. Cook site on North Grove Avenue in Elgin. District staff said a traffic study is complete and will be shared with the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA) and the city as part of the zoning and permitting submittal. Demolition of the existing building was described as the first major construction phase, with district staff not expecting demolition until at least spring 2026.

District staff described progress on other projects: the new elementary conversion at Illinois Park (including realigned access drives, an extended drop‑off area with capacity for about 60 vehicles, and a combined bus/staff parking area), and construction at a new Elgin elementary that will include a 120‑well geothermal system (each borehole about 500 feet deep). The naming process for the new elementary drew more than 300 nominations; the district plans a town hall Oct. 1 and said it will bring naming recommendations to the board Oct. 20 with action possible at the Nov. 3 meeting.

Finally, staff updated the board on plans for a new athletic complex at Larkin High School that would include artificial turf, a surrounding track, and seating for more than 2,000 spectators. The district said Elgin’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the project to the City Council, and that the council would likely consider zoning and code variances on Oct. 8 and Oct. 22. Staff said event‑day parking concerns were addressed in the submission with a satellite parking and shuttle plan for large events, and that typical varsity games are expected to be accommodated on site.

Discussion and board comments focused on thanking construction teams and on the logistical challenges during construction; several board members said they had toured Kimball and Kenyon Woods and appreciated staff briefings. No board votes or formal approvals were taken during the update portion of the meeting.

The projects sit at various stages of permitting, bidding and construction; staff characterized implementation risk as medium because multiple items depend on successful permitting, bid awards and coordination with municipal authorities.

Looking ahead, the district said more detailed schedules and contractor selection results will be presented at future board meetings.