Middle school expansion plans move forward

Plans for a fifth-grade wing at John Long Middle School were approved by the Grafton Architectural Review Board last week.

The 14,000-square-foot expansion includes six classrooms, two special education rooms and one “bubble” room to accommodate class size fluctuations, allowing for fifth-grade classes at Kennedy and Woodview elementary schools to be moved to the middle school after the project’s expected completion August of next year.

Construction of the addition and several other remodeling projects at John Long were funded by an $11.14 million referendum approved by voters in April.

Moving the fifth-grade classes will help relieve overcrowding in the district’s elementary schools by freeing three classrooms at each elementary school, Supt. Jeff Nelson said.

Since 2021, school enrollment has increased by 130 students, he said. Of that increase, 113 are elementary school students.

“That’s what’s driving (the referendum,)” Nelson said in April. “We believe it’s a long-term solution to this problem we have.”

The growth in elementary school enrollment is driven by an influx of housing in the town and village of Grafton that is attracting young families with school-aged children, he said.

“As evidenced by the growth in Grafton, with new housing and the achievements of our school district, Grafton has become a preferred location,” Nelson said. “Ensuring every student has the space and resources they need to thrive is paramount to our commitment to excellence in education.”

He noted that from 2010 to 2018, only 85 building permits for single-family houses were issued in the village. But since then, the numbers have increased significantly, from 45 in 2019 to 95 in 2021 and 36 last year.

As development in the district continues, the tax levy will be spread over more homeowners and enrollment will increase resulting in more state aid, Nelson said, reducing the referendum’s impact on the tax levy.

John Long will gain 150 students and nine staff members after the fifth-grade move, plans said.

Construction of the addition is estimated to cost $6.7 million, and the site work $1.6 million.

In addition, the district will expand the cafeteria, relocate the science room and remodel a number of special education and staff spaces and restrooms, add parking to replace spaces taken up by the addition and provide outdoor play equipment.

The remodeling is expected to cost $2.8 million.

The Plan Commission will review the plans next week.