District 102 chooses $24.9 million expansion plan

Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 has chosen a $24.9 million plan to expand classroom space and renovate buildings.

The school board's decision is the latest step in the effort to keep up with population growth in northern Buffalo Grove. District officials plan to increase space to accommodate 280 students per grade; the district currently has about 250 students per grade.

The plan chosen was the least expensive of three options considered, but its cost is at the high end of the district's plan to spend between $19 million and $25 million on the expansion. The other options cost $28.1 million and $31 million.

It's unclear why two of the options were far more than the district initially proposed. School officials did not immediately return phone calls.

The plan includes an addition at Aptakisic Junior High School for fine arts, which will include a multipurpose room and art room. District offices and a support facilities area at the junior high would be renovated into classrooms.

An additional six classrooms for early childhood education would be built at Meridian Middle School.

Under the plan, students in early childhood through third grade would attend Pritchett and Tripp elementary schools. Children in grades 4 and 5 would attend Meridian Middle School. Sixth- through eighth-grade students would attend Aptakisic Junior High.

The district office is being moved to create more classroom space at the junior high. However, the district hasn't determined where the office will go. School board members formed a team to study ways to save money on the district office and support facilities.

The team is investigating a reduced district office at Meridian Middle School with a space for facilities located off-site. Team members will also look for property to purchase or lease for a district office and facilities.

The district was authorized $25 million in alternative revenue bonds to pay for the expansion. The bonds do not require an additional tax or voter referendum because the district pays off the debt over 20 years with money from existing revenues.

Officials have said the expansion could be finished by fall 2018.