Lake County's littlest school district facing big challenges

A $14,204 state grant is a pittance compared to what Rondout Elementary District 72 will spend on upcoming expansion projects. But it's welcome nonetheless.

"It's still very much appreciated to offset costs associated with our growth," said Jenny Wojcik, superintendent of the one-school district in Green Oaks.

Rondout is the smallest school district in Lake County, but also is the only one to register an enrollment increase of more than 7.5 percent, which qualified it for the Illinois State Board of Education grant.

Such grants are designed to help cover the needs of growing student populations for schools where broom closets are used as offices and gyms double as cafeterias.

Being one of the state's fastest growing districts is somewhat relative in Rondout, where the number of students has grown about 35 percent, to 167, in three years.

The trend is expected to continue, as local families leave private schools for public, and families with children replace empty-nesters in the neighborhood.

"We're one of the few places that is growing right now to this extent," Wojcik said. "We're still on the upswing."

Broom closets in Rondout still house brooms, not students, but the building is full.

"Next year, it looks like we'll have two classes of third grade, which will be a first in Rondout history," Wojcik said. That's quite a stretch, since Rondout history goes back to the 1860s when the district was organized. School has been held in the Bradley Road building since 1917.

Studies have been under way for a year and a plan to address the growth is in place.

On Thursday, the district received a wire transfer for $2.5 million, the proceeds of the sale of a debt certificate to be used specifically for building improvements. Debt certificates are a non-referendum financing option repaid with operating fund revenues.

The building project will include a 15,000-square-foot addition to the south side of the school, a new gym, the conversion of the cafeteria and kitchen into two classrooms and other remodeling.

Altogether, four classrooms will be added.

Rondout recently asked for bids but the estimates it received surpassed the engineer's $3.5 million estimate by so much the project will be revised and rebid.

Part of the increase was due to the district's desire to secure Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation.

While the revised project will still have some environmentally friendly measures, it will not include the mechanical system that would have been required for the certification.

"We're still anticipating a winter start with completion very close to the start of the (2009-10) school year," Wojcik said.