If voters approve the bond proposals for Niles Community Schools this spring, here is what each would pay for.

 

Bond Proposal 1 (2.89 mills)

The district will close three buildings: Westside Administrative Center, James Ellis Elementary and Cedar Lane.

Westside currently houses administrative staff, alternative education programs and continuing education programs, such as adult education. According to the plan, alternative education would move to Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center. The district has yet to decide what to do with the administrative staff. On Monday, Supt. Michael Lindley said they could lease or purchase space somewhere in the city to accommodate administrative staff.

“Probably the most favorable thing the board could do is look at options that are already available in the community for use,” he said. “It could be a lease to purchase. We could take the money we are saving on becoming more efficient and maybe purchase a building over a period of time or it could be a straight out rental.”

Eduardo Blanc, of TMP Architecture, said it would be important to have a definite plan for what to do before going to the voters in the spring.

Cedar Lane currently houses alternative education students. They would be moved to Oak Manor Sixth Grade Center. Oak Manor students would be moved to Ring Lardner Middle School and additional classrooms would be added to Ring Lardner to make room for the extra students.

James Ellis Elementary students would be moved to nearby Howard Elementary School, which would require the addition of new classrooms to accommodate those students. The name James Ellis Elementary would be combined with Howard Elementary.

All remaining schools will receive what district officials term “highest priority” needs, including mechanical replacements, electrical upgrades, technology, ADA accessibility, code compliance and window replacements.

 

Bond Proposal 2 (1.0 mills)

If the first bond proposal passes, voters would have the option to approve the second, which includes projects that would address the following needs at district buildings: plumbing replacements, classroom finishes (including casework) and new furniture.