Referendum Would Allow District 140 Access To Cash To Build New School

TINLEY PARK, IL — School officials are asking voters within Kirby Elementary District No. 140 to vote to free up cash reserves to fund the construction of a new school.

The district plans to build a new school that will almost double Fernway Park's existing space at 16600 88th Avenue in Orland Hills. Currently, 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.

In order to access the money from the district's cash reserves, however, residents will need to approve a referendum on the upcoming primary ballot.

The cash reserves are already available and will not affect voter's property taxes. Currently, there are just over one year's worth of reserve funds the school has accumulated. After the project takes an estimated $34 million, the school will still have six months worth of "rainy day funds."

According to a May meeting held with parents of the district, the new school will be about 83,000 square feet. With new apartment buildings being built along nearby 94th Avenue, district Superintendent Michael Byrne said officials need to prepare for an influx of students.

"We want to make sure we spend our reserve funds time to time because it's prudent and fiscally responsible for the taxpayers," Byrne said. "It's also good for everybody, not just Fernway parents, when all the schools in the district are equivalent."

Other plans considered by the district included adding onto the existing building and remodeling the building to expand class space. Both options would disrupt classes and extracurriculars.

If approved, the district would begin construction in 2023 and have the new school ready for the following school year. The building will stay in operation during construction and later be knocked down to make way for a parking lot or playground for the new Fernway.

Read more about the project here.