Palatine CCSD 15 officials describe facilities upgrades from 2022 "Moving 15 Forward" referendum

Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 officials said the district used the successful "Moving 15 Forward" referendum, approved in November 2022, to develop and complete a five-year master facility plan that renovated 12 school buildings and updated classrooms, libraries and specialized learning spaces.

District staff said the work addressed several priorities identified before the referendum, including all-day kindergarten, moving sixth grade into middle schools to align neighborhood feeder patterns, and modernizing facilities to better support teachers and students. "We called it moving 15 forward for a reason because that's what this work was going to do," a district staff member said.

District staff described the referendum as the result of about six years of preparation and noted it was the first successful facilities referendum for the district in 34 years. The five-year plan led to renovations across a dozen buildings, the speakers said, including updated art rooms, science and STEM labs, libraries, cafeterias, multipurpose rooms, upgraded hallways, lighting and gymnasiums. The presentation emphasized changes intended to support teaching practices, such as larger classrooms and flexible furniture to facilitate group work rather than row seating.

One speaker described everyday effects on students: "I really like about our building now, we now have students walking, riding their bikes to school. It really now feels like a community school and it feels like a family here," the speaker said. Staff highlighted that one elementary school was converted into a middle school so Hoffman Estates now has its own middle school, and district staff pointed to new science labs and STEM spaces as areas expected to boost engagement and achievement.

Officials also outlined a forthcoming 6–10 year master facility plan to prioritize remaining capital needs, specifically HVAC systems and roofs, and said they are working on project prioritization tied to associated funding. Speakers described the initial projects as "an investment on the part of the taxpayers" and thanked community members for passing the referendum.

Speakers repeatedly framed the renovations as intended to give teachers modern facilities that match their instructional work, while allowing the community and staff to take pride in the schools. The presentation closed by reiterating gratitude to voters who supported the referendum and noting that the district will continue planning for longer-term facility needs.