District 59 to vote on bonds for school additions

The Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 school board is expected to vote Aug. 10 on whether to borrow $7.7 million for classroom and other additions at three of the district's 14 buildings.

District officials identified nearly $9 million in building improvements needed at Juliette Low and Rupley elementary schools, and Ridge Family Center for Learning, a choice school.

If approved by the board, the district will issue bonds for $7.7 million and the remaining construction cost would be covered through federal stimulus funds, said Betsy Boswell, District 59 spokeswoman.

The school board will conduct a public hearing for the bond issuance on Sept. 14.

Of the proposed improvements, the most urgent need is at Juliette Low School in Arlington Heights, which will be severely overcrowded next year with a projected enrollment of 397 students, officials said.

The district proposes to begin construction soon on the roughly $3.6 million project to build eight new classrooms, a new storage area and relocate restrooms at that school. Renovations are expected to be completed before the 2010-2011 school year.

The District 59 school board will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 in the board room of the Administration Center, 2123 S. Arlington Heights Road.