U-46 classroom additions will be ready for school start

New classroom additions at Coleman, Highland and Laurel Hill elementary schools will alleviate overcrowding and accommodate nearly 250 more students in Elgin Area School District U-46 this school year, officials said.

Crews are putting the finishing touches on the additions that are expected to be ready for the first day of classes Aug. 17.

The additions are among more than $23 million in improvements completed at several Elgin-area schools this summer.

Coleman and Highland, both in Elgin, are getting 10 new classrooms each - estimated to cost roughly $5 million and $4 million, respectively - and Laurel Hill in Hanover Park is getting six new classrooms for roughly $4.6 million. The projects are funded through the district's operating budget, said Jeff King, chief operations officer for Elgin Area School District U-46.

Coleman will gain 114 students for a total enrollment of 664 students, Highland will gain 105 students reaching a total of 598, and Laurel Hill will see an increase of 27 students for a total of 528. The additions and boundary changes that go into effect this school year will allow the district to use elementary school space more efficiently and help eliminate 12 mobile classrooms this school year.

The extra space is needed partly to accommodate more than 2,600 students in full-day kindergarten classes debuting this fall.

"We can't wait to watch brick and mortar turn into special places of learning and engagement," said Tony Sanders, U-46's chief executive officer.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are planned at each of the three schools Aug. 16, starting at 5 p.m. at Laurel Hill, 1750 Laurel Ave., 6 p.m. at Coleman, 1220 Dundee Ave., and 7 p.m. at Highland, 190 N. Melrose Ave. School board members, parents, students and guests will join staff members and Sanders at each school.