Plans include connecting two schools
Hadley Middle School, Homer Junior High would combine
Homer Elementary School District 33C is preparing to embark on an expansion project that would connect Homer Junior High School with the neighboring Hadley Middle School, address overcrowding and prepare for growth.
The Homer Glen Village Board on Wednesday approved a zoning change and site plan for the 54,312-square-foot addition, which would combine the schools into one facility, create new classrooms, a new cafeteria and library and improve traffic flow for buses and cars.
“I believe this will be good for the community,” Trustee Rose Reynders said.
The District 33C School Board plans to vote on the scope of the project at its meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at its administration center, 15733 Bell Road.
School board members have sought a base bid that includes 10 new classrooms, a divided cafeteria and shared library as well as 10 alternatives that would renovate existing interior space into more classrooms or add another gym, among other options, said Superintendent Craig Schoppe. The cost of the project is about $25 million, but the exact cost won’t be known until the board reviews all the bids and selects which plan best meets the district’s needs.
Construction is expected to begin in May and take about a year to 1 years to complete. The expansion will be paid for using existing operating funds, Schoppe said.
The addition is expected to be complete for the 2025-2026 school year, and architects have created a timeline to minimize construction noise when the students are in school, Schoppe said.