Kaneland referendum jumps by $12 million

In less than a year, the price of a Kaneland referendum will jump $12 million.

"We're always concerned about having a failed referendum and having the costs increase," said Superintendent Charles McCormick. "This time, that came true in a very big way."

The same $53.2 million building referendum that failed on the spring ballot will cost at least $65 million on next February's ballot, John Maurer of RuckPate Architecture told the Kaneland school board Monday night.

Drastic increases in the price of materials and fuel are responsible for the jump, Maurer said.

A new middle school building, the largest item in the referendum proposal, went up $10 million. The referendum would also include additions to Blackberry Creek Elementary School and the current middle school.

Board members asked if switching materials or changing the design would help save money, but Maurer said the savings would be minimal.

"There wasn't a lot of fluff in there to begin with," said board member Bob Myers.

However, the earlier primary next year, in February, will aid the district, Maurer said.

Bids will likely be more competitive than in late spring because it's a less busy time for construction, he said.

Plus, the middle school building can be at full completion when students start there, instead of the partial completion originally planned, he said.