New Intermediate School to be Built in Herscher

The Herscher community is set for an exciting transformation as the construction of a brand-new Herscher Intermediate School is one step closer to reality. This long-awaited project aims to replace the existing school building with a more modern and spacious facility, ensuring that nearly 400 second- through fourth-grade students in the district have an updated, safe, and engaging learning environment.

For professionals in the construction field, this project offers a fascinating look into community-driven educational construction, complete with thoughtful design details and robust planning efforts.

Project Overview: The New Herscher Intermediate School

The new Herscher Intermediate School will be a single-story, 50,000-square-foot facility located just to the west of the current building at 391 N. Main St. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2025, with students continuing to attend the old school during the two-year build process. The estimated cost of the new building is between $33 million to $38 million, with funding provided through health and life safety bonds—a practical solution offered by the state of Illinois for replacing buildings deemed in poor condition without the need for a public referendum.

The Daily Journal reports that the current school will remain functional until the new building is complete, ensuring minimal disruption to student learning during the construction phase. The project demonstrates a careful approach to redevelopment, balancing the needs of the local community, the existing student body, and the available resources.

Key Features of the New School Facility

The new Herscher Intermediate School aims to provide a modern and functional space for its students while retaining some elements of familiarity. Here are the major highlights of the project:

1. Building Layout and Design:

   • Pods for Each Grade: The new school will feature distinct pods for each grade level—second, third, and fourth. Each grade will have its own dedicated wing, helping to create a smaller community feel within the larger school.
   • Size and Capacity: The school will span 50,000 square feet, with classroom dimensions and the overall number of classrooms planned to match the current school to ensure compliance with health and life safety bond requirements.
   • Potential for Future Expansion: There is also space allocated on the side of the planned building for possible future additions. This flexibility will help accommodate enrollment growth as the community expands.

2. Site Layout and Access:

   • Bus and Car Entrances: The school’s design also includes updated access points, providing separate lanes for bus and car traffic. A dedicated bus entrance from Elm Street will feature a looped turnaround that will serve both the intermediate school and Herscher High School. Car traffic will enter from Main Street and exit onto Third Street, thereby minimizing congestion and creating a safer drop-off environment.
   • Parking and Traffic Flow: Thoughtful planning has gone into ensuring efficient traffic flow around the site, making it safer for both students and drivers during peak times.

3. Mechanical Considerations:

   • Boiler System Evaluation: An interesting aspect of this project is the decision surrounding the existing boiler system. The boiler, which currently feeds the unit office and the broader facility, presents a dilemma: Should it be replaced entirely, or should the current system be retained as-is? The costs, feasibility, and benefits of both options are being closely weighed as the school works to finalize its mechanical infrastructure plan.
   • Demolition of Existing Structures: Once the new school building is operational, the old structure will be demolished. Specifically, everything to the south of the existing boiler room—including the cafeteria, gym, and other facilities—will be taken down. This phased approach minimizes risk and ensures a seamless transition for students and staff.

Building Committee: A Collaborative Approach

Since the board's decision in August to move forward with building a new school, a building committee was formed to ensure a collaborative approach to planning and development. The committee consists of about 25 individuals, including community members, school administrators, board members, and representatives from BLDD Architects, the Chicago-based firm leading the design efforts.

The building committee has already convened multiple times, working out key site details such as the new building’s location, the layout of the site, and the specifics around the demolition of the old school. These meetings have been instrumental in fine-tuning the overall vision for the new facility, while community involvement ensures that all stakeholders have a voice in the future of the school.

Next Steps in the Construction Process

The next phase of this extensive project will focus on the building's interior design details, such as the placement and size of classrooms and the choice of materials for floors, walls, and ceilings. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for January, when they will dive deeper into these important aspects.

Additionally, district administrators and the general construction manager have been meeting weekly with the architects to ensure alignment on the design’s progress. Superintendent Rich Decman likened this detailed planning process to "building a house on steroids"—a fitting analogy given the scale and complexity of the project.

Within the next two to three months, the district plans to start soliciting bids for various parts of the construction, marking an important milestone as the project moves from planning to implementation. “They’re still in the planning and design phase,” Decman said, emphasizing the importance of taking a grand perspective before zooming in on specific design choices.

Community Involvement and Feedback

Community engagement has been a driving force behind this project. The building committee’s open-door policy for meetings allowed all interested community members to participate, share their views, and help shape the school's future. This transparent process has helped ease the tensions that initially surrounded the decision to build a new school rather than expand an existing one.

The overwhelming sentiment in the community has been the desire to keep a school in Herscher itself, which was a key factor in the board’s decision to construct a new facility. This decision reversed a prior plan to expand Limestone Middle School, a proposal that received significant backlash from residents who felt it would negatively affect the Herscher community.

The feedback from community members and school staff, including input from teachers, transportation, technology, and food service departments, will be integral in ensuring that the new facility meets everyone’s needs effectively.

Timeline and Moving Forward

• Groundbreaking: Targeted for June or July, the groundbreaking will mark the official start of construction.
• Preliminary Work: Prior to breaking ground, six to seven months of preparatory work will be completed to ensure the site is ready.
• Completion and Occupancy: The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy by the fall of 2027, providing students with a fresh, modern learning environment that is tailored to their needs.
  
  

The construction of the new Herscher Intermediate School is a significant and positive development for the community. It represents not only a physical upgrade but also an investment in the educational future of Herscher's children. With modern facilities, thoughtful design features, and dedicated community input, the new school will provide a safe, welcoming, and engaging space for students to learn and grow.

For those in the commercial construction field, this project is a reminder of how important community collaboration is in public infrastructure developments. From managing stakeholder feedback to balancing existing structures with new builds, the Herscher Intermediate School project is a testament to thoughtful planning and commitment to community-focused construction.