Board approves Lincoln Irving expansion design, leases Western Illinois buildings for temporary relocation

The Moline Board of Education on Sept. 8 approved final design refinements for the Lincoln Irving Elementary expansion and voted to lease Buildings A and B at Western Illinois University (the QC Complex) as a temporary site for students during the year of construction.

The lease was presented to the board as an anticipated cost of $20,000 per month; the agreement includes provisions for additional charges if Western (technology support or utility costs) exceed the allowances built into the monthly figure. Board members approved the lease in a roll-call vote; Board member Audrey Adamson recorded an abstention and the motion carried with five members voting yes.

Board members and district presenters said the Western site best met the district's needs for safety, available classrooms and minimal renovation work compared with other sites the district had considered. The district described Buildings A and B as roughly 66,000 square feet with about 22 classrooms and additional office and specialist space; district staff said the space is already configured for classroom use, reducing retrofit time and cost compared with other options the district examined.

District staff and the design team also presented updated…