D115 Referendum
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History of Facility Planning
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Each generation has recognized the need to thoughtfully prepare for the next generation of students.
This is reflected in the following milestone dates:
2023
The Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education pursued a $105.7M referendum on the April 4, 2023 Lake County election ballot.
Our historic, 88-year-old high school—one of our community’s most important public assets—is in need of fundamental improvements to the basic, aging infrastructure elements like plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, windows, and roofing.
These updates not only allow us to preserve this iconic community asset, but also ensure that our students and staff have the environment they need for teaching and learning, preparing our Scouts to grow, excel, and achieve in the rapidly-changing world that awaits them.
By protecting and improving our high school, we will extend its useful life, reduce costly emergency repairs, enhance safety and security, and improve ADA accessibility.
Fall 2022
A Forum was held on November 14, 2022 to discuss the LFHS Capital Facilities Plan. The community was invited to learn more about a possible April 2023 referendum to address the highest-priority LFHS facility needs including roofing, HVAC systems, windows, plumbing, lighting, safety and security, and student learning spaces.
Fall 2021 - Winter 2022
In November 2021 the Facilities Oversight Committee expanded to include more stakeholders and reconvened under new Superintendent, Matthew Montgomery. It was determined that the physical needs of the building be addressed without delay and the educational assessment be revisited in light of how education, work, and the world had shifted as a result of COVID-19. At the December 2021 District 115 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved a bond issuance of $15M to be dispersed over the course of 3 years to address urgent and required facilities maintenance work while revisiting the educational assessment as it relates to meeting the needs of LFHS students in the future.
A community-wide forum was held on March 1, 2022 to update the community on plan progress to date.
Facilities Master Plan Community Forum - March 2022
Fall 2018 - Spring 2020In 2018, the District 115 Board of Education approved a Facilities Master Plan Proposal and work began in November 2018. Over the course of two years, the Master Plan process included facility assessments, educational assessments, and financial assessments. A Facilities Oversight Committee was established, made up of community members, parents, and staff. Together, the Committee set out on a three-phase process to develop a roadmap for the future of Lake Forest High School, and met 19 times up through May 2020. Student, faculty, and staff surveys were conducted, meetings were scheduled with students, faculty and staff, and peer institutions were toured. A complete physical assessment of the building was completed in the summer of 2019.
A Community Open House took place in March 2020 and attendees toured different stations throughout the building to learn more about themes including flexibility and furniture, collaboration and connectivity, technology, and collaboration and transparency. Feedback was gathered from this opportunity and the District alongside Perkins and Will, architects of record, began to prioritize and create budget updates.
Spring 2020 - Fall 2021The COVID-19 pandemic delayed Facilities Master Planning work until November 2021. Remote learning and major shifts in education and how the world works led the District to hit pause on facilities planning.
Fall 2008
Work approved by the November 2006 referendum was completed on the Lake Forest High School East Campus building, including the addition of the Commons, and the Lake Forest High School West Campus building, with the addition of the Administration Center, field upgrades, and new lighted varsity football field.
LFHS East Campus
LFHS West Campus Lighted Varsity Football Field
Fall 2006
In November 2006, a $54M referendum was passed for District 115. Between 2007 and 2008 the LFHS West and East Campuses saw renovations and major infrastructure investments. The referendum funds improved, repaired, renovated and equipped the Lake Forest High School East Campus building, including the creation of additional classrooms and laboratories, a music wing, a new student dining room, a large atrium (Commons), the library, security upgrades, and life safety and technology improvements. The funds also improved, repaired and equipped the Lake Forest High School West Campus building with an Administration Center, field upgrades, and new lighted varsity football field.
1992
Academic, pool and field house additions were added to the Lake Forest High School East Campus location.
1971
West Campus was built.
1966
Academic addition and auxiliary gymnasium
1958
Auditorium and gymnasium addition
1935
East Campus original building