Evergreen Park task force backs Proposal A for new Central Middle School; architects present $104 million plan

Evergreen Park ESD 124’s community task force recommended putting “Proposal A” before voters as a potential bond referendum after three meetings that identified deficiencies at Central Middle School and space needs across the elementary schools.

The recommendation came as DLA Architects presented conceptual plans Thursday night showing a new three‑story Central Middle School on the south end of the site, phased construction to keep classes operating, and targeted additions or renovations at Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest elementary schools. Architects and task force members said the full program the district is studying would cost roughly $104,000,000; a stand‑alone middle‑school option was estimated at about $77.5 million.

The task force’s recommendation matters because the Evergreen Park Board of Education will decide whether to place a bond referendum before voters; task force members and architects said community surveys will continue before any ballot measure is set. The board later approved a construction manager contract with FH Passion to support pre‑construction planning if the project moves forward.

Julie Kelly, a Central Middle School teacher and task force member, described conditions the task force documented during building tours. “It was embarrassing to me, to see our building through the eyes of our community,” Kelly said, noting smells, mold and accessibility problems that she said affect students and staff. Kelly told the board she supports moving forward with plans for a new Central.

Task force member George Peso lehi, who identified himself as a long‑time resident and co‑founder of the local historical commission, emphasized broad community support and the group’s recommendation. “I wish I could write a check for the whole thing,” George said, describing the task force’s work to vet site layouts, security needs and tax‑impact information for two alternative proposals.

Ed Wright, principal at DLA Architects, and Peter Panarelli, associate principal at DLA, walked the board through the conceptual design for Central. The plan would relocate the main entrance, create an on‑site drop‑off lane and parking, and contain indoor play and a track within the site footprint. “We’re showing you today these are still what we call conceptual plans. Things can and will most likely change,” Wright said. The design includes 36 general classrooms across three levels, seven science labs distributed through the building, and a gymnasium that doubles as a community performance/storm‑shelter wing.

Panarelli described how the new building could be built in phases while the existing school remained in use. “Classes would run, as scheduled, throughout the 18 months or so that it would take to build a new building,” Panarelli said, adding that logistics such as contractor parking and staging will be addressed in pre‑construction planning.

DLA’s proposal also outlines districtwide work intended to remove portable “mobile” classrooms by creating programmatic space: a proposed Northeast early‑childhood/Pre‑K addition would centralize pre‑K classrooms and free space at other schools; Southeast would receive additions emphasizing special‑education and STEAM rooms; Northwest would absorb program relocations through remodels; Southwest would gain an art/music addition. Architects said soft‑surface playgrounds and improved student‑support spaces are included in the concept.

Architects told the board the estimate uses recent project pricing and an assumed escalation for work that would likely begin in about two years. They reported a per‑square‑foot planning figure near $600 per square foot under current market assumptions and cited an overall program estimate of about $104 million; architects said the district’s middle‑school‑only option was about $77.5 million. The firm cautioned numbers are conceptual and will be refined during schematic design and pre‑construction.

The district’s community task force favored Proposal A after group discussions and a consensus vote during the third meeting; the task force asked the board to use community surveying to test public appetite for the plan before placing any referendum. District officials noted a possible referendum timing of early 2026 has been discussed, and the task force materials referenced planning for outreach in February 2026, but the board must set any ballot date.

The board approved a construction manager contract with FH Passion to lead pre‑construction services, estimating, community presentations and site logistics if the project proceeds. Kevin Milke, lead superintendent for FH Passion, told the board the firm has a long school‑construction practice and said, “We’re really excited for the opportunity to work with the district.” Board members recorded the contract approval without objection at the meeting’s action items.

Board members and several community speakers praised the thoroughness of the task force and the architects’ attempts to limit taxpayer impact through program consolidation and efficient construction strategies. Task force members also said they had identified local companies willing to consider donations; one member said they had researched nearly 40 potential corporate donors as part of outreach.

Next steps described at the meeting include continued community surveying and refinement of schematic designs and costs during pre‑construction. The board emphasized the final decision to place any bond referendum rests with the Board of Education and noted that additional public outreach and more detailed cost and tax‑impact information will follow if the board approves moving to design and referendum planning.