June 29, 2022 Update
Thanks to everyone who voted in the June 28 Gubernatorial Primary Election and voiced their opinion on the ballot question regarding D140’s request to build a new school. According to the Cook County Clerk’s website, initial results indicate there were 5,255 ballots cast, with 62.75% of voters in favor of building a new school.
This vote allows KSD 140 to use part of its cash reserves to construct a new school building on the western portion of the existing Fernway school property. The new school will replace the current Fernway Park Elementary School.
Next Steps
D140 will continue to work with Tria Architecture in anticipation of breaking ground in February 2023 and completing the new school in August 2024. Students and staff will continue to learn and work in the current building until the new school opens at the start of the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, during the 2024-25 school year, the old Fernway school will be demolished to make room for a new parking lot, playground, green spaces, and landscaping.
We appreciate your support of and investment in our schools and community.
Your Vote. Your Voice.
A referendum will appear on the Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election ballot asking for voter permission to use part of our cash reserves to construct a new school building on the western portion of the existing Fernway school property. This new school will replace the current Fernway Park Elementary School.
There will be NO ADDITIONAL TAX IMPACT associated with this construction. District 140 will pay for the Fernway project entirely out of cash reserves. If voters approve this project, it will allow D140 to construct a new school building using money already saved and earmarked for the maintenance and care of our facilities.
If you have additional questions or need more information, please review the information below or contact us at ksd140.org.contact-us.
Investing in Our Community
Property values are tied to the strength of a school district. Good public schools equal good home and resale values. By prioritizing the care and maintenance of our facilities, we are investing in our schools, our community, and our future.
New School
Estimates for retrofitting and modernizing Fernway Park Elementary School's current infrastructure for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, data, and classrooms were approaching the cost of a new school. The Kirby School District 140 Board of Education believes a new building is a better long-term solution. The proposed new school will be built on the western portion of the existing Fernway School property and replace the current Fernway Park School.
Additionally, this design will create a District Early Childhood Center within Fernway, allowing us to centralize services for our preschool-age students and free up classroom space at our other elementary buildings.
No Additional Tax Impact
D140 will pay for the Fernway project entirely out of cash reserves. If voters approve this project, it will allow D140 to construct a new school building using money already saved and earmarked for the maintenance and care of our facilities.
Vote
Illinois law requires D140 to secure voter permission to spend part of our cash reserves to construct a new school building. A referendum will appear on the Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election ballot asking for voter permission to construct a new school building on the western portion of the existing Fernway property. The exact question that will appear on the ballot is, "Shall the Board of Education of School District 140, Cook County, Illinois, build one new school building on the Fernway Park School site to replace the Fernway Park School?"
Frequently Asked Questions
The proposed new school will be built on the western portion of the existing Fernway Park School property and replace the current Fernway Park School.
In July 2021, Tria Architecture presented the Board of Education with three options for updating Fernway. These options were discussed publicly at a Committee of the Whole Meeting on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. After discussion and questions from the public, the Board came to a consensus to proceed with Option 3.
Please see below for the options presented to the Board and the community.
- Option 1:
- 42,000 square foot addition; 42,000 square foot renovation
- Construction estimated at $25.5 million
- This option would require a significant amount of disruption to the existing school and site during the two years of heavy renovation and construction.
- Option 2:
- 65,000 square foot addition; 25,000 square foot renovation
- Construction estimated at $31 million
- This option would require a significant amount of disruption to the existing school and site during the two years of heavy renovation and construction.
- Option 3:
- 83,000 square feet of new construction on the western portion of the existing Fernway school property
- Construction estimated at $34 million
- Since the construction is not part of the existing building, the disruption to the existing school during the two years of construction is limited to the site.
Estimates for retrofitting and modernizing Fernway’s current infrastructure for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, data, and classrooms were approaching the cost of a new school. The Kirby School District 140 Board of Education believes a new building is a better long-term solution. The proposed new school will be built on the western portion of the existing Fernway School property and replace the current Fernway Park School.
Additionally, this design will create a District Early Childhood Center within Fernway, allowing us to centralize services for our preschool-age students and free up classroom space at our other elementary buildings.
District 140 will pay for the Fernway project entirely out of cash reserves. The District will not need to secure bonds or loans. There will be no increase in property taxes associated with this project. Due to good stewardship and sound financial planning, the Fernway project will be paid for with money we’ve already saved and earmarked for the upkeep and maintenance of our facilities.
The construction is expected to cost approximately $34 million and will be paid for entirely out of cash reserves. After the Fernway project is completed, the District’s cash reserves are projected to be at approximately $27 million. This translates to having a little over 6 ½ months of operating expenses remaining in cash reserves after the project is complete. Construction at Fernway will not deplete our cash reserves.
There will be NO ADDITIONAL TAX IMPACT associated with this construction. District 140 will pay for the Fernway project entirely out of cash reserves. If voters approve this project, it will allow D140 to construct a new school building using money already saved and earmarked for the maintenance and care of our facilities.
Yes, Illinois law requires us to secure voter permission to spend part of our cash reserves to construct a new school building. A referendum will appear on the Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Gubernatorial Primary Election ballot asking for voter permission to construct a new school building on the western portion of the existing Fernway property.
The exact question that will appear on the ballot is:
Shall the Board of Education of School District 140, Cook County, Illinois, build one new school building on the Fernway Park School site to replace the Fernway Park School?
The entire Fernway project will be paid for out of the District’s cash reserves. If voters approve this project, it will allow D140 to construct a new school building using the money already saved and earmarked for the maintenance of our facilities.
With voter permission, D140 would begin the project in July 2022, break ground in February 2023, and complete the project in August 2024. Students and staff would continue to learn and work in the current building until the new building opens at the start of the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, during the 2024-25 school year, the old Fernway school would be demolished to make room for a new parking lot, playground, green spaces, and landscaping.
Please see conceptual renderings below.
If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact us at ksd140.org/contact-us.
Early Voting
For the June 28, 2022, Gubernatorial Primary Election, traditional Early Voting will take place
June 13 – 27. As a reminder, voters who participate in Early Voting must vote in person. Early Voting locations and hours can be found here.
Vote By Mail
Mail Ballot applications for the June 28, 2022, Gubernatorial Primary Election will be accepted starting March 30, 2022.
Any registered suburban Cook County voter with a driver’s license, state ID, or social security number on file may request a mail ballot using an online or paper application.
Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day in order to be counted.
Election Day Voting • June 28
Registered suburban Cook County voters can only vote in their home precinct on Election Day.
Residents who are not registered to vote may register and cast a ballot on Election Day thanks to same-day registration and voting. Those who wish to register on Election Day must present two qualifying forms of ID.
Registered and unregistered Cook County residents can find their assigned polling place with the Your Voter Information tool.
Click here to download a list of polling places.