In a recent column, I shared the progress made thus far in construction projects throughout the district.

As you may recall, these projects resulted from the community’s tremendous support of the 2015 Niles Community Schools bond. In the months since my last update on the topic, a new, and I believe positive, development has transpired relative to the project at Eastside Connections School.

We have found a way to complete the project in about half the time — in only eight of the originally allotted 15 months, at a lower cost and without continual disruptions throughout the year. As stewards of the success of our community’s children, and its public dollars, we believe this opportunity is in the best interest of the district, students and our community.

Under this new timeline, construction is scheduled to begin in January 2018.

At Niles Community Schools, our primary objective is, and always will be, student learning. In order to limit disruption to our students and classrooms, Principal Joe Racht and I have decided to move classes temporarily to Oak Manor from January through June 2018.

The temporary location should be quite comfortable for Eastside Connections students and teachers. Recent renovations at Oak Manor, also fostered through the bond, make the school a desirable location to temporarily provide the same offerings our families have come to expect.

We anticipate families and local residents, including those who live in the neighborhood surrounding Oak Manor, will have questions about the logistics of the move. For that reason, we will host several information sessions that will include questions and conversations about the project.

The sessions will serve as opportunities to discuss the various reasons why this temporary move will have long-term benefits to our students, the district and the community, including completion of the project in time to start the 2018-19 school year back at Eastside Connections School. 

As construction continues to take place throughout the district, we are thrilled such renovations will offer our students improved learning environments, enhanced safety and security, increased access to technology, greater energy efficiency, and overall building and site improvements.

The changes at Niles Community Schools will provide our students with a warm and engaging learning environment that offers access to technology needed to thrive in today’s competitive world.

For residents who do not have students in the district, the improvements will be beneficial as well, as strong schools build a stronger community.

During this exciting time of transition, I remain truly grateful for the continued support of the Niles community and our shared passion for the future of our students.

Dr. Dan Applegate is superintendent at Niles Community Schools.