No New Fernway School To Be Built After Kirby D140 Board Rejects Bids

TINLEY PARK, IL — Nearly two months after reassuring parents that construction of a new Fernway School would happen, Kirby District 140 officials changed course Thursday during its board meeting.

Board members voted to reject the bids it has received for building the new elementary school, meaning a new, 83,000-square-foot building will not be erected.

".... the Kirby School District 140 Board of Education rejected the bids it received for constructing a new D140 elementary school," the District said in a release Friday.

"Citing rising costs and long-term financial stability as significant factors, the Board elected not to pursue the construction of a new school building on the western portion of the existing Fernway school property."

District 140 went to referendum in June 2022, asking voters to approve of officials digging into cash reserves to construct the building, which would have replaced the current one at 16600 88th Ave. The almost 60-year-old building is one of the oldest in the district and is in desperate need of more space for pre-school through fifth grade, officials said.

The new construction was intended to be on the same property, behind the current school, Superintendent Dr. Dan Callaghan told Patch previously. After construction on the new campus was completed, the former building was to be demolished, with a parking lot in its place, Callaghan said.

Several factors were considered during the Board’s assessment, officials said Friday, including a 44 percent increase in the original projected construction costs, "the long-term financial stability of the District, and the potential impact on taxpayers."

Originally estimated at approximately $34 million, the new school is now projected to cost more than $49 million.

"While the need for updated educational facilities was acknowledged, the financial realities facing the District have compelled the School Board to reevaluate its approach to addressing these needs," the District said.

"Our priority has always been to ensure the best possible educational environment for our students while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the community," said Board President Thomas Martelli. "In light of these new estimates, we must seek alternative solutions."

The Board said while the decision indicates "a pause in the immediate progress" of a new school's construction, it also "reflects the Board's dedication to making informed and fiscally responsible choices for the benefit of all stakeholders.

"The School Board expresses gratitude for the community's engagement throughout this process," the District said. "Input from stakeholders, including parents, educators, and community members, has been invaluable and deeply appreciated. The District remains dedicated to exploring alternative solutions and strategies to enhance educational facilities and provide an optimal learning environment for all students."

Kirby District 140 takes in students from Tinley Park, Orland Hills and Orland Park.