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Kelloggsville board hears $34.7 million bond proposal to renovate West Elementary, ease traffic and improve tennis courts
Summary
At its March 9 meeting, the Kelloggsville Board of Education received a facilities and bond update from TowerPinkster and OAK proposing roughly $34.7 million in two bond series (presenters said with no mill increase) to fund renovations centered on West Elementary, traffic improvements and new tennis courts; a refined plan is due in July.
At the March 9 meeting of the Kelloggsville Board of Education, consultants from TowerPinkster and OAK presented a preliminary facilities assessment and a draft bond plan to fund renovations across the district.
The presentation, introduced by Superintendent James Alston, centered on three priorities over the next decade: renovating West Elementary, addressing central school traffic and drop-off challenges, and replacing or relocating the district’s tennis courts to support school and community use. The consultants said the proposal could be structured as a two-series bond totaling approximately $34.7 million and said it could be done “with no mill increase.”
Why it matters: the work would affect student safety, daily traffic patterns and facility conditions across elementary and middle school campuses, and it would be funded through voter-approved borrowing rather than an immediate tax-rate hike, according to the consultants’ presentation.
TowerPinkster and an OAK representative identified renovation of West Elementary as the preferred path over a full rebuild. They described a renovation plan that would add a new wing, demolish an older section, redesign the main entrance and office, provide in-room restrooms and small-group spaces, create a new STEM room, separate cafeteria and gym spaces, relocate the playground, and improve parent drop-off and staff parking. The consultants said a complete rebuild of West Elementary would be far more expensive (an estimated $35 million to $40 million) and therefore less feasible.
The firms also outlined site-specific ideas: relocating Southeast’s tennis courts behind the building with the potential for a small sports complex including a regulation soccer field; adding a new drop-off/pick-up drive off Division Avenue to relieve congestion on Montebello and Jefferson near Central/Middle (noting that the Division Avenue option depends on property acquisition); and improvements at KECLC such as enclosed playground space, added parking and office updates.
The presentation identified other anticipated bond spending areas including roofing, furniture, technology and security upgrades. Presenters said a bond committee will be formed to help refine priorities and outreach plans. Rachel, an OAK representative, reviewed a proposed marketing timeline running March through November, including a possible community survey and voter outreach strategy; the consultants said a refined proposal would be returned to the Board in July and that a campaign could launch in August if the Board approves.
Board members present responded positively in round-robin remarks. Ms. Rocha said the proposed changes are "exciting" and voiced continued support for improvement efforts; Ms. Townsend thanked the firms for their work and said she hopes the community will back the proposal. Student Board Representative Cameron Clark told the Board students appreciate attention to the tennis courts’ condition.
Next steps: the consultants will refine the bond proposal and return to the Board in July for further consideration. Any decision to place a bond on the ballot would follow additional review, committee work and board action.
