Board approves $848,000 budget for student-built home project in Palatine

The Township HSD 211 Board of Education approved construction of a student-built home on a district-owned lot on Louise Lane in Palatine and set a budget of $848,000 for construction costs, consulting and contingency fees to be spread over the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal years.

The student-built home is part of the district’s building construction program, which provides students with hands-on instruction and real-world experience in residential construction. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Small said the program “provides both instructional and hands-on opportunities while constructing homes that will eventually be available for sale to the public.”

Board members praised the program’s career-readiness benefits. One board member described a previously built classroom home on Nitti property as “absolutely gorgeous” and said the program supports the district strategic goal of career readiness. Several board members who spoke said they had personal knowledge of student experiences in the program and called it a highlight for participating students.

The board voted to approve the construction motion and subsequently approved the $848,000 budget on roll calls recorded by the district. The motions passed with unanimous support at the meetings when recorded.

The approval authorizes the district to begin construction on the second Palatine home and to include the budgeted amounts across two fiscal years. The district will continue to report on construction progress and the program’s educational outcomes.