Some major changes could come to Danville District 118 school buildings in the next few years, thanks to $31.5 million in pandemic relief money from the federal government.
One of the biggest changes could come to Northeast Elementary Magnet School, where Superintendent Alicia Geddis says the district could spend $8 million to turn it into a preschool center, replacing current classroom space at Edison and Southwest elementary schools. She says current Northeast students would move to Liberty Elementary School if the change were to occur.
Danville High School students would benefit from up to $12 million in building improvements. Geddis says a new cafeteria could be built to the south of the field house, with an indoor hallway connecting it to the building, with the current cafeteria becoming a space for life-skills classes. That project would cost a little less than $4 million. Other improvements include updating the chemistry labs, library and family and consumer science labs.
Eight new classrooms could be added onto Kenneth D. Bailey Academy, which is the district’s alternative school located in the former Holy Family Grade School. Geddis says a gymnasium and courtyard could also be added. That project would cost $7.5 million.
None of the projects are final, and school board members would need to vote on each project.
