Thomas Middle School addition in planning stages in Dist. 25

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 will draw up plans for a Thomas Middle School addition that could cost between $12.6 million and $14.8 million.

Citing growing enrollment at Thomas, Assistant Superintendent Stacey Mallek told the school board Thursday that the school has 37 rooms for core classes, but needs at least 43 "to keep a 25-to-1 student to teacher ratio."

Thomas has 41 classrooms, but three are used for special education and one for music.

Ryan Schulz, director of facilities and grounds, presented two options to the board - one that would give the school a net gain of six classrooms, along with a new gym, expanded common areas and improvements to corridors.

The second option, most expensive at $14.8 million, would net the school five additional classrooms along with improvements throughout the school.

For either one, construction would begin during the 2016-2017 school year.

"It is imperative that we get detailed plans to give us the information to make our decision," Superintendent Lori Bein said.

Board member Charles Williams said building an addition onto Thomas would be a long-term fix that shows the board is planning ahead.

"We are acting instead of reacting," he added.

The addition at Thomas would be the next step in District 25's process of upgrading its schools. This year, the district is adding 10 classrooms at Ivy Hill Elementary School and five at Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary, all for about $16 million. District 25 spokesman Adam Harris said a proposal to put an addition onto Windsor School is expected soon, as well as a plan to move the early childhood education program from Greenbriar Elementary to the Dunton Administration Center to help solve some space problems.