D124 Facilities Proposal

District 124 is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. After a long process working with community members, a proposal was brought to a task force that seeks to address its highest-priority capital facility needs districtwide by replacing Central Middle School and making critical improvements at its four elementary schools. Community feedback was shared that the proposed plan was simply too large in nature to move forward with a March 2026 election. 

The district worked with architects to revise the proposal to focus on the consistent priority item that was identified throughout the process, Central Middle School. The new proposal is $41.8 million less than the previous proposal and is focused on safety and security, modern learning environments, and establishing a school that could serve current and future generations of students in Evergreen Park.

Bonds are for buildings! A bond measure is a financing tool used by school districts to fund larger capital projects, much like a mortgage helps people purchase their homes. The proceeds from bond measures are often used for school renovations, facility upgrades, and new construction and must be approved by voters.

The district went to referendum in October of 1970 with the following proposition, which was approved by voters:

Shall the Board of Education of School District Number 124, Cook County, Illinois, construct additions to and alter, repair, and equip all the existing school buildings of said District now in use for school purposes and known as the Central School, Northeast School, Northwest School, Southeast School, and Southwest School, all located in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and to issue bonds to pay the cost thereof of said School District to the amount of $1,250,000.00?

District 124 is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. After a long process working with community members, a proposal was brought to a task force that seeks to address its highest-priority capital facility needs districtwide by replacing Central Middle School and making critical improvements at its four elementary schools. 

When the community shared that the proposal was too expensive and that the scope should be narrowed, the district listened and worked with architects to revise the proposal to focus on the highest need item, Central Middle School, which is approaching 100 years old, has a number of systems that are beyond their useful life, and is unable to meet the needs of 21st century educational programming.

• Central Middle School was originally built in 1928, so it is quickly approaching 100 years old. 

Built in 1928, Central Middle School is the oldest District 124 building and faces the most urgent and extensive facility challenges including simply not being designed to support modern education practices.

Yes, but after a process where the district sought input from the community on a proposal that would see renovations, additions, and improvements at all five schools, it was determined that in order to meet community priorities, the district should focus first on Central Middle School due to the age and needs of the building as well as its service to D124 students from all parts of the district. 

Since Spring 2022, District 124 has engaged in a comprehensive planning process involving staff, families, students, and the community. This has included working with its architecture firm to develop a strategic plan, completing a districtwide facility needs assessment, and conducting extensive interviews and surveys to understand the community’s goals and priorities for the learning environment. Based on this input, the architect presented long-range facilities goals to the Board of Education. 

A process in 2025 sought input on a larger proposal that would address needs at all five buildings. The community shared that the proposal was too expensive and requested that the district focus on the main priority item with a smaller ask which resulted in this revised proposal that would be on the November 2026 ballot. 

Yes. While the proposal only focuses on Central Middle School, it is the one facility that serves all D124 students as they enter 6th grade. By building a new and modern facility, D124 will be able to serve current District 124 students, as well as those attending in the future, receive a high-quality education in a healthy, safe, and productive learning environment when they begin middle school.

District 124 seeks the community’s input on a $68 million bond issue to be used to replace Central Middle School with a new, modern facility that will serve current and future generations of students in Evergreen Park.

District 124 has worked hard to maintain its schools within its current operating budget. However, there are major capital facility investments and building updates that fall outside the scope of standard yearly maintenance projects. 

The District installed new HVAC at Northeast Elementary and Southeast Elementary Schools. Additionally, HVAC upgrades were addressed at Southwest Elementary School. Large scale cosmetic updates have been made at Northeast and Southeast Elementary schools that include new flooring and new paint. The district also underwent asbestos abatement at Northwest Elementary school this past summer and installed new flooring throughout the building. 

The estimated total cost of the proposed improvements is $68 million. If approved, homeowners would see an estimated LY2026 Tax Bill Change for a $300,000 home would be $604, or approximately $50 per month, significantly less than the previous proposal. This estimate does not include the standard homeowner exemption, or other possible exemptions, which would result in a lower tax impact.

An online tax calculator will be provided in order to allow taxpayers to calculate their potential impact.