SD U‑46 presents proposed attendance‑boundary map that would close four schools, add new buildings and expand dual‑language program

School District U‑46 (SD U‑46) planning staff presented a proposed attendance‑boundary map that would close two elementary schools—Laurie and Washington—and two middle schools—Abbott and Ellis—reassign students to newly built or converted facilities and expand a dual‑language program, district staff said during a public presentation.

The proposal comes after the district’s community planning process and a 2023 bond referendum that district staff said provided funds for renovations and new construction. District planners said the proposal is intended to address aging school buildings, uneven enrollment and rising maintenance costs across the district’s 55 facilities serving about 35,000 students.

District staff described buildings more than 100 years old, growing maintenance costs and a mismatch in enrollment, with some schools under‑enrolled and others overcrowded. To respond, the district’s plan would convert Illinois Park from an early‑education site to an elementary school, build one or more new replacement schools (including a new Mackenley to replace an older Mackenley site), and open a new middle school at the site…