Algonquin Middle School undergoes $17 million renovation

A major addition and renovation is under way at Algonquin Middle School in Des Plaines that should please students, staff and motorists alike.

Much of the $17 million project is focused on modernizing classrooms and building a new cafeteria that will have the capacity to simultaneously house all of the nearly 700 sixth, seventh and eighth-graders.

Additional parking and a bus turnaround also will be built so that buses don't have to line Algonquin Road at the start and end of every school day.

"Bus traffic will be moved off Algonquin Road, which should ease commuter traffic," said Nelson Gray, Des Plaines Elementary School District 62's assistant superintendent for business services. "And the turnaround will be a multiple use surface that can be used for both the buses and as an instructional and play area."

Algonquin Middle School opened in the mid-1950s and additions were built in 1973 and 2002, according to the school website.

Principal John Swanson said the old cafeteria will be converted into a computer lab known as a Technology Integrated Learning Environment, or TILE.

"Right now our Wi-Fi (wireless Internet access) is not robust enough to do the things we want to do," Swanson said. "Our technology infrastructure will be much more modern."

With students all eating at the same time, Swanson predicts an extra 10 to 12 minutes a day freed up in the schedule. He's started to explore the implementation of an independent reading or advisory program.

Most of the first phase of construction will wrap up by the start of school, with minor projects taking place throughout the year. The final phase will take place next summer.

Gray said District 62 issued Build America Bonds to help fund the project, which are loans for capital projects in which the federal government rebates 35 percent of the interest.