District 211 approves student‑built home project and sets $848,000 construction budget

The Township High School District 211 Board of Education approved the construction of a student‑built home on a district‑owned lot on Louise Lane in Palatine and authorized a project budget of $848,000.

District staff told the board the project will be part of the district’s building construction program, giving students hands‑on instruction and real‑world construction experience. The home is intended to be sold to the public when complete; students enrolled in the building construction program will receive both classroom instruction and practical construction training.

The board voted to spread the $848,000 budget for construction, consulting and contingency fees across the 2025–26 and 2026–27 fiscal year budgets. Board members praised the program as a career‑readiness opportunity and cited a recently completed classroom home as an example. The motions to approve both the construction and the budget passed by roll call vote.