Negotiations to Begin for New School Site

The Board of Education moved toward its goal of building a new middle school in the southwest part of the District Wednesday night when it authorized staff to negotiate for the purchase of an 18-acre site in Warrenville. The parcel, owned by James McNaughton Builders, is west of Herrick Road between Warrenville and Galusha Roads.

Board Member Rosemary Swanson, who made the motion to start the negotiations, said the Board’s goal to replace Hubble with a new school in the southwest part of the District has always been about doing what’s best for students.

“This is the site we initially considered for the new school. Time and circumstances brought us back to this property, which we believe provides an excellent site for a new middle school,” Superintendent Gary T. Catalani said. He indicated negotiations with McNaughton Builders will begin immediately.

The Board voted in January 2004 to replace Hubble with a new middle school in the southwest part of the District. Since then, it has identified a number of potential sites, none of which have worked out.

Dr. Catalani said building a new school on a site other than the one Hubble currently occupies is the best, long-term financial decision and one that gives students a building designed for the middle school program.

The City of Warrenville has indicated in the past that it will allocate approximately $4 million for the purchase of property if the selected site is in Warrenville. Dr. Catalani said he anticipates that Warrenville will find a way to make that happen now.

The District will hold a referendum to get money to build the new school, but the date for the vote won’t be set until property acquisition is assured. Architects currently estimate the cost of the new school to be approximately $35 million, not including the cost of land. That figure includes all fees associated with the project, as well as all furnishings, cabling, and other items not directly related to construction. The construction cost will be partially offset by the subsequent sale of the existing Hubble property, which would likely be redeveloped as a multi-use project serving as a gateway to downtown Wheaton.

The Hubble Middle School Committee, formed to implement the Board’s decision to build a new school, will resume its work and consider potential referendum dates, possible boundary changes, and the eventual marketing of the current Hubble site.