Why does Hubble need to be replaced?

Hubble is one of the last two schools to receive major renovation or replacement since a renewal/replacement facility plan was initiated in 1985. While routine maintenance has occurred as needed, the overall building has not been renewed and major systems have not been replaced. In addition, there are $22 million in improvements required to bring the building in compliance with the state’s Life Safety Codes. This does not mean the building is unsafe, but it does mean these deficiencies must be addressed over time. In reviewing the costs of renewing the existing building to the same standard as other District 200 schools versus the cost of building a new school, the Board agreed the best long term solution is to build new.

Why didn’t the District choose to build on the same site like it did with Longfellow?

After considering all of the options, including building a new school on the existing site, the Board believed that the District would best be served by locating a middle school in the southwest part of the District. The close proximity of three of the four middle schools and the long distance that more than half of the Hubble students must travel to school prompted the Board to consider other possible sites for the new school. In addition, the cost of demolishing the existing school made that option more expensive than building a new school on another site.

Why not conduct a District-wide survey to get community input on this issue?

There will be additional opportunities for the public to provide feedback on the proposal when more details are known and before a referendum is held. At this time, the only ‘for sure’ thing is that the Board voted to build a new middle school somewhere in the southwest part of the District. The survey conducted on the high school issue in the fall of 2002 was organized and paid for by the Citizens Referendum Committee and conducted by an independent firm. Although it primarily asked questions related to high school issues, there were two questions about the future of Hubble Middle School. On one of the questions, some 62% of the respondents indicated they support building a new school on another site if that option is less expensive than renovating the existing building.

Why doesn’t the Board appoint a task force, like it did with the high schools, to reevaluate the whole middle school program?

The issues are different. The high school study was triggered by overcrowded conditions and included a program review that ultimately determined the scope of the high school construction project. The task force addressed only the program piece; it did not make recommendations regarding the facilities. The Hubble issue is based solely on the need to provide an appropriate facility and does not include a program component. A citizen’s committee has been formed to recommend how the Board’s decision to build a new middle school in the southwest part of the District should be implemented.

Rumor has it that the Hubble issue is a done deal. What does that mean?

There are no deals. The Board identified finding a long-term solution to Hubble as a high priority goal for 2001-02 and every year since then. With that directive, the Administration began pursuing available land for a new middle school, which resulted in discussion with a number of people, including Warrenville Mayor Vivian Lund. The District initiated discussions with the Cities of Wheaton and Warrenville and their respective park districts in the summer of 2002 to determine if the governing bodies could work in partnership to build a new middle school in Warrenville or elsewhere in the southwest part of the District. Several informal meetings have been held since then with city and park representatives, as well as contractors interested in developing the Hubble property and those interested in creating a planned unit development in Warrenville. Those discussions continue from time to time with the interested parties, but there are no agreements.

Does District 200 have/own land for a new middle school?

No.

Has Warrenville purchased land for the District to use to build a new middle school?

No, although the City has indicated it is willing to purchase and donate land to the school district for the construction of a new middle school. At this time, the City has not acted to purchase the land.

What options did the Board explore before reaching a decision to build a new middle school in the southwest part of the District?

The Board considered five options to address the long-term needs at Hubble and presented those options to the community in public meetings and written communications. The five options were:

• Renew the existing building.
• Sell the Hubble property and build a new middle school on another site.
• Build a new middle school on the existing site and subsequently tear the existing building down.
• Build a new middle school on another site and keep the Hubble property for another purpose to be identified.
• Address only the most critical needs at Hubble.

Variations of these options were also considered, including using a portion of the existing building if a new school were built on the existing site.

What are the cost estimates for the various options?

• Renew existing building.
  Renewal $19.6 million
  Life Safety $22.7 million
  TOTAL $42.3 million (Estimated in 2005-08 dollars to reflect phasing.)

• New school on another site.
  School $32 million (144,000 sq. ft. bid in 2005)
  Property $2.3 to $4.5 million

• New school on existing site:
  School $33.6 million (144,000 sq. ft. bid in 2005)
  Tear Down $2.6 million

• Address critical needs only:
  $10 million

Where did the District get these estimates?

The District obtained the various estimates from its architects, Legat & Associates, and its construction managers, Bovis LendLease. Both of these firms have worked with the District on past construction/referendum projects and have been very accurate in their projections. Most recently, the bids for the $72 million high school expansion and renovation project came in just slightly lower than projected costs.

Can the District obtain other estimates or independent assessments of the costs involved?

Yes. The Board could vote to obtain additional estimates, although there would be an associated fee.

How much does the District believe it can sell the Hubble property for?

Appraisals were obtained in 2002 and need to be updated as part of the Hubble Committee’s work. In the spring of 2002, we got two estimates, which ranged from $4.8 million to $10 million. The $4.8 million appraisal considered the existing building a negative asset because the asbestos would have to be abated before the building could be razed. The $10 million appraisal did not factor that in.

Can the Hubble site be TIF’ed?

TIFFING the Hubble site would be a decision of the Wheaton City Council. They have obtained an opinion that it is possible and legal to TIF the property.

Will the City of Wheaton create a TIF on the Hubble site?

Again, this is a decision for the Wheaton City Council.

What could be built on the Hubble site?

That decision also lies with the Wheaton City Council. Only a portion of the 22-acre site can be built on because the remainder of the site is a flood plain. One developer has proposed the construction of multi-story condominiums with office/retail space on the ground level. No final plan has been submitted, however, and no decisions have been reached.

What other groups use the Hubble building and are there other facilities where these programs can be housed?

The Wheaton Park District is the primary user of the building and grounds, but other local and regional groups use the facility as well. Among them are the Warrenville Park District, DuPage Youth Symphony, Educational Tours, National Evaluation Systems, boy scouts/girl scouts and the Regional Office of Education. We believe these groups and others can be accommodated in the new middle school and other District 200 schools when Hubble is taken out of service. The new facilities at the two high schools, especially the multi-use stadiums and the field houses, will also provide space for local groups.

Have any civic groups approached the Board about keeping Hubble for community use?

No, although there has been informal contact and discussion about maintaining the site as a community resource.

Would the new Hubble be the same size and have all the same features of the existing school?

No. The new middle school would in all likelihood be smaller than the existing school. The size and scope of the project will be determined by architects working with the Hubble staff and administration based on the projected enrollment and programs that will be offered at the school. The existing building is about 100,000 square feet larger than any of the other three middle schools.

What is the urgency of solving the Hubble issue now?

As mentioned, Hubble is the only school that hasn’t had major renovation. ( Jefferson was partially renewed in the mid 1990’s. The remainder of the building needs to be renewed in the future.) The Board agreed to make a long-term decision regarding the school before investing significant dollars to address life safety issues or replace operating systems.

Will it negatively impact my property values if I live in Wheaton and have to send my child to middle school in Warrenville?

One of the reasons families choose to live in Wheaton and Warrenville is the excellent reputation of District 200 and its schools. The school district encompasses all and/or parts of several communities, and regardless of the where students are assigned the quality of the program is the same.

Will the District have to hold a referendum to build a new middle school?

Yes. The Board has always believed it would hold a referendum to get voter authorization to build the new school. On April 14, the Board amended its original motion to include a statement that a referendum would be held to get voter authorization and funding for the new school.

What is the Hubble Committee being asked to do?

A number of questions must be answered and decisions reached before a new school can be constructed. Many of these questions are included in the committee’s charge, which is attached to this document.

Is there support for the Board’s decision?

Based on the results of a survey taken at the three town meetings held in October and the on-line survey conducted during November, a majority of respondents support the Board’s decision to build a new school in the southwest part of the District. The District recognizes, however, that this was not a scientific sampling of the entire community. Many people have offered support for the Board’s decision, but there are also those who would prefer to renovate Hubble or build a new school on the existing site.

What is the time line for solving this issue?

The Board has not identified a specific time line, but has asked that the Hubble Committee give a status report on their work no later than the October 27 Board Meeting. It would take two years to build a new school following a successful referendum. The Board has not discussed a specific date for a referendum, but others have mentioned the Spring of 2005 or 2006.

Will the attendance boundaries of Hubble be changed if a new school is built in the southwest part of the District?

One of the tasks of the Hubble Committee is to recommend whether attendance boundary changes should be considered if the school is relocated to the southwest part of the District. If this recommendation is made, a ‘boundary’ task force will be assembled to research the recommendation.