A team of approximately (50) stakeholders was assembled for the Facilities Master Plan Design Team in January, 2023. This team was composed of a staff member and a parent from each school, additional staff/administrators who have roles relevant to the work, community members, Board members, and high school students.

The work of the Facilities Master Plan Design Team was shared through monthly updates at the Facilities and Long-Range Planning Committee.

In early 2025, the District hired Nexus Solutions, an independent facilities planning firm, to refine this existing Facilities Master Plan for design and implementation.

In August, 2025, the District moved forward with a Phase 1 agreement for approximately $50 million dollars to begin design and implementation.

The Facilities Master Plan includes plans to improve the District’s safety and security, the creation of additional collaborative spaces at our sites, and the development of more secure entrances. In addition, it addresses issues from the Facilities Assessment to include HVAC, roofs, and classroom spaces. The Master Plan also includes options to add a District Early Childhood Center, an expansion to the District's Alternative High School, Everest High School, and options to upgrade or close Perry Elementary School.

Yes, once a direction for the Facilities Master Plan was set, the District sought feedback from building personnel, stakeholders, and community members on next steps. Projects identified in the Facilities Assessment are being prioritized and addressed. Any design changes will be thoroughly vetted prior to any action being taken.

Decades of early childhood research studies demonstrate that children with access to high quality early childhood development and health opportunities are more prepared for kindergarten, do better in school, and are more likely to graduate and enroll in college. Currently D100 is offering early childhood programming, and the District would like to continue to expand this opportunity for our students and families.

Programmatically, an early childhood center would allow our current program to grow in size, both in number of classrooms and in the number of children that can be served. We know that we have many families in our community that would like to have a child attend early childhood programming, but we are unable to accommodate all of our interested families. Additionally, we know that some of our families would like us to explore full day programming. We continue to have to place students on a waitlist and do not have additional classroom spaces to create new sections at this time. Our waitlist demonstrates that we are also in need of additional bilingual classroom sections. A goal of the IL Preschool for All (PFA) program is to increase all-day preschool programming options for families. We become eligible for more state funding if and when we offer full day programming, which includes meal service.

Preschool children benefit from having a learning space that is specifically built for their body size and their curriculum. Operationally, small child-designed buildings have toilets and sinks that are low to the ground and that do not require the use of stools, in order to avoid falls.

Preschooler’s balance and coordination are still developing as is their independence in using the bathroom. Many of our preschool students are still in diapers and pull ups and require facilities with changing tables and areas for clean up after accidents. This includes laundry facilities. Classrooms must also be large in layout to accommodate the state-required learning centers and interest areas.

As a PFA state-funded preschool program, District 100 Early Childhood is required to strive to meet specific quality standards described within the ECERS-3 Framework and PFA Compliance Expectations. Some of these requirements and expectations include:

• Indoor gross-motor learning spaces with specific opportunities for climbing, swinging, throwing, pedaling, etc.

• Fully fenced and preschool body-sized playground designed to provide the same gross-motor movements above

• Areas for implementing the approved curriculum with fidelity: child-friendly cooking spaces, sand and water play areas, outdoor learning spaces

• Space for offering parenting education resources and materials for families

• Space for hosting regular parent education opportunities and family engagement during and adjacent to the school day

• Blended classrooms where students with and without disabilities learn in the same environment. This requires the support of a robust related service team and administrator support that can be on site at all times to best support student and family needs. A center would include offices, training areas, and collaboration spaces for IEP meetings and planning.

The following options were considered for Perry Elementary School (PES) as part of the  Long-Range Facilities Assessment and Master Planning discussions:

• Necessary facilities updates (keep PES open with basic upgrades): Code-required updates, hazardous material abatement, replacement of outdated systems, and safety updates.

• Modest renovations: Add a secure entry sequence, improve classrooms, and create some space for specialist instruction (includes the necessary facilities updates).

• Full renovations: A complete renovation of the entire building to make PES as equitable as possible with other D100 elementary schools (though some deficiencies would still remain).

• Build a new two-section replacement school: Construct a new building that aligns with current educational standards (a larger, modern replacement facility).

As the building continues to age, doing nothing is not a viable option. The Long-Range Facilities Assessment and Master Planning process identified multiple approaches to address the needs of PES, the estimated costs associated with each approach and the feasibility. 

Yes. The community has had (and will continue to have) opportunities to provide feedback through past and ongoing engagement, including participation on the Master Facility Planning Design Team, annual Town Hall meetings, prior public hearings on April 15, May 4, and May 6 of 2024, public polling in March 2026, and future public hearings on the future of Perry Elementary School.

The Morris-Leatherman Company conducted Belvidere’s polling study. This independent, full-service market and research firm has almost 50 years of combined experience in market and opinion research. They conduct polling studies for many school districts nationally, using a random sampling of 400 people across all demographic groups and municipalities to gauge public opinion in a representative manner. 

Click here to view the polling results.

Bus service would be expanded to serve elementary students residing in the Perry neighborhood should the Board decide to close Perry. The District currently runs busing for middle and high school students living in the Perry neighborhood. Families will not be required or expected to transport their children to a new elementary school if Perry were to close.

A route currently costs $363.01 per day. There are 173 student attendance days which equals $62,800.73 per year. 

We currently have four (4) routes running for Perry resident students outplaced to other district elementary schools. We do not anticipate that we would add additional routes for the 2026-2027 school year if Perry closes; we should be able to transport all Perry students to the elementary school of choice using these four existing routes. The current four routes would be repurposed to transport a higher number of students to their designated school. The District pays the same per route if there are 5 students riding or 60 students riding.

All staff at Perry would be retained in the District. Staff would be placed prior to any internal or external hiring - so any positions that needed to be filled in the District, Perry staff would have the first opportunity to fill. Should there not be a position that most closely represents each staff member’s existing role, we will work with each staff member to find a role that meets his/her skillset. There are currently 9 classroom teacher openings within the District and 8 classroom teachers at Perry that would need to be placed.

The facility assessment outlined what repairs/maintenance would need to be done at Perry Elementary and prioritized them into Immediate (by 2027), Very Soon (by 2030) and Slightly Longer Term (by 2033 max.) color-coded categories.

After a thorough analysis, our facility planning partner, Nexus Solutions, has concluded that Perry Elementary would require an investment of $14–16 million to address essential improvements. Even with this significant financial commitment, certain concerns within the building would persist. This assessment highlights the ongoing challenges the district faces in maintaining and upgrading its facilities to meet current and future needs. 

According to the District Needs Assessment, Perry’s roof is recommended to be replaced in the 1-4 year range. The District has been engaged in repairing roofs throughout the District, including a roof repair at Central Middle School, Belvidere North High School and Lincoln Elementary. Roof replacements have been prioritized in the District according to severity of roof leaks, repairing at a lower cost versus full replacement later, and advice from Larson Darby and Tremco.

As part of Phase 1 the shingle roof at PES would be replaced, and the flat roof sections would be restored with synthetic coating to extend the life and provide a 20-year warranty. There is a roof-to-wall separation issue(s) currently being reviewed for root-cause and solution which was not part of Phase 1. 

According to the Illinois Report Card, average spending per student in D100 is $19,209 Per student school spending

• CLICK TO VIEW 2026 PER PUPIL SPENDING BY SCHOOL:

Enrollment at PES is down 122 students since the 2005-2006 school year.

• CLICK TO VIEW ENROLLMENT TRENDS:

D100 has undertaken a Long-Range Facilities Assessment and Master Planning process as it seeks to align its facilities with its vision for the future.

The process included assessments of the technical aspects of each building, a demographic study, as well as evaluations of how well each building is able to functionally support the District’s multi-faceted goals. A widely participatory process defined goals used in the evaluation such as those for high quality teaching and learning, safety, equity, accessibility, operations and maintenance, efficiency, community support, and fiscal responsibility.

A key goal for the outcome of the Facilities Assessment and Master Planning effort is to determine the most appropriate strategies for addressing aging facilities, the oldest of which is Perry Elementary. Many factors were considered as multiple scenarios for all D100 facilities were developed, discussed, adjusted, and presented. Considerations were applied to all D100 schools. Those particularly relevant to Perry include:

Equity among D100 schools

Providing equity among schools involves ensuring that all students and staff have access to similar resources, opportunities, and quality of education. The District recognizes that quality facilities are among the key resources for delivering high quality education as they support people, programs, activities, and curriculum. When facilities age, they gradually lose their ability to adapt and change to offer opportunities equal to their newer peers. Specifically for Perry, the following physical characteristics are among the causes of its inequity within the District:

• Too few classrooms restrict the number of sections per grade level. PES has the smallest enrollment of any school in the District, which contributes to its high annual operational costs per student.

• Limited (or no) space for specialized resources and student supports such as dual language and special education drives some students to enroll elsewhere.

• Perry is the only elementary school without a cafeteria and kitchen facilities. All food must be prepared off-site and brought into the school.

• The gym is significantly undersized, restricting its use for PE and flexibility to be used to support additional activities.

• With its small enrollment, several programs and services, including staff, are part-time or otherwise shared among several schools, while larger elementaries can afford more full-time staff.

Access & Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as current building codes define physical characteristics to support equal access to all built environments. The inaccessible split-level design at Perry is compounded by mis-aligned floor levels among multiple building additions. Levels are connected through a myriad of steps and stairways, which are difficult to navigate and at worst, completely inaccessible by those with specific mobility challenges. Nearly any renovation to the building will require extensive upgrades to comply with accessibility laws.

Safety & Health Concerns

Secure facilities are a priority for D100. Security upgrades at all D100 buildings are required, however those at Perry will likely trigger additional accessibility upgrade requirements.

Older buildings such as Perry may include hazardous materials and/or mechanical and electrical systems designed prior to codes and guidelines that regulate safety issues such as indoor air quality. Lack of a fire protection (sprinkler) system, an aging fire alarm system, and an outdated PA/intercom system all contribute to the need for added capital investment in safety and security. Retrofitting older buildings with compliant systems can be costly.

Ongoing Maintenance Costs

With repairs or not, the building will require higher on-going maintenance of its infrastructure, exterior enclosure (roof, walls, etc.) simply due to its age.

Districtwide Space Availability, Budget Constraints, and Resource Allocations

D100 elementary schools currently operate below capacity, so replacing Perry with a new school at this time presents challenges.

Cost of Repairs

It is possible to renovate Perry to resolve some, many, most, or even all of the identified issues and challenges. The Long-Range Facilities Assessment and Master Planning process identified multiple approaches that could keep Perry open and functional. Broad-brush costs associated with each approach were estimated and are included in the chart below along with short descriptions for what each estimate generally includes.

Considerations for Selecting the Best Approach

Each approach has a cost to implement and, as Perry continues to age, doing nothing is not a viable option. We must evaluate which approach for addressing facility needs at Perry is in the best interest of the District as a whole. Considerations for making this decision will likely include:

• What is the cost of the work relative to its impact? While project costs may or may not be the most important factor for choosing to close Perry, estimated costs for various options are certainly important considerations. A broad-brush comparison of costs for each potential approach to Perry facilities is included below.

• If a full renovation of Perry is not affordable, will a more modest approach still meet our needs and vision? How long will it be until Perry facilities require another round of upgrades?

• If Perry students and staff are accommodated in other D100 schools, how will we ensure they continue to thrive – whether it is short term during Perry renovation, or longer term if Perry closes?

• What is the cost per student to invest in Perry, in comparison with other D100 facilities?

• With limited resources, how should various facilities needs be prioritized both at Perry and throughout the District?

The budget number for sprinklers is $605,000, which is based on being completed while the ceiling is down for remodeling. To replace the fire alarm panel, the budget would be $150,000.

Perry offers resource services for students who are in general education settings. Perry is not ADA compliant therefore any student who may have mobility needs such as a wheelchair has to attend a different school.

The Board would need to decide next steps, but PES would probably be sold. The District would have to budget $530,000 in order to tear it down.

Perry Elementary remains in operation; however, maintaining its functionality will require extensive building upgrades to prevent escalating infrastructure issues and associated costs. Determining a true "bare minimum" investment is inherently complex, as the term is subjective and open to a broad spectrum of interpretations—even among seasoned architects, engineers, and construction professionals.

To ensure that decisions reflect the values and priorities of the entire community, the District initiated polling efforts. This process helps clarify what stakeholders deem most important, guiding responsible resource allocation. The Board of Education remains firmly committed to upholding equity for all students across the District, ensuring that every learner receives fair and consistent opportunities.

After thorough analysis, our facility planning partner has concluded that Perry Elementary would require a substantial investment of $14–16 million to address essential improvements. Even with this significant financial commitment, certain deficiencies within the building would persist. This assessment highlights the ongoing challenges the District faces in maintaining and upgrading its facilities to meet current and future needs. 

As part of Phase 1 approved work, the shingle roof is being replaced, and the flat roof sections are getting restored with synthetic coating to extend the life and provide a 20-year warranty. There is a roof-to-wall separation issue(s) that we are currently reviewing to determine the root-cause and solution, which is not part of Phase 1.  

Roofing upgrades at this time could proceed as a stand-alone project, but this will leave many issues at Perry that will still need to be addressed in the future at additional cost. For example, if the Board does plan to invest in updated HVAC, there may be some interaction due to added roof equipment and/or roof penetrations for intakes and exhaust ductwork. This may recreate some of the roof patching and updated roof improvements that would otherwise be done as part of a combined roof and HVAC upgrades.

Yes. Perry has a budget for the 2025-2026 school year of approximately $2.7 million dollars. Of this budget, there are approximately $126,000 in operations, purchased services and supplies. The majority of cost savings for closing Perry would be realized through attrition by placing Perry staff into vacated positions in the District.

The work at Perry has always been scheduled to take place later because of the scope of the work.  For example, to be strategic in the spending at Perry it would not be cost effective or efficient to replace the roof now when we also have to address the elevators and the secure entrances. The design will be extensive and is scheduled to take place in July 2026.

The District did not receive $500,000 from the City for the roof at Perry. As detailed in the attached letter, we requested and received Land Cash Exaction Fees (also known as Impact Fees) collected from developers and intended for the District. These specific funds were earmarked for improving our athletic facilities and playgrounds, including repairs to tracks and tennis courts and the replacement of playground equipment.

The total of impact fees collected for and paid to the District totaled $520,728.82.  This represents impact fees collected from developers but not distributed to the District from December 2021 through September 2024.

The document linked here outlines the procedures for student placement and school transitions following the potential closure of PES.

The needs at Perry are listed in the Facilities Needs Assessment completed by Larson & Darby in 2023. You can see Perry’s needs on pages 35-44 of this linked document. The updated needs at Perry were also provided in Nexus’ February Presentation.

In the FAQ - The facility assessment outlined what repairs/maintenance would need to be done at Perry Elementary and prioritized them into Immediate (by 2027), Very Soon (by 2030) and Slightly Longer Term (by 2033 max.) color-coded categories.

After a thorough analysis, our facility planning partner, Nexus Solutions, has concluded that Perry Elementary would require an investment of $14–16 million to address essential improvements. Even with this significant financial commitment, certain concerns within the building would persist. This assessment highlights the ongoing challenges the district faces in maintaining and upgrading its facilities to meet current and future needs. 

Wellness Clinic Project Details

• Location: The D100 Wellness Clinic is moving from its current location at 1320 East Ave to 1414 N. State Street.

• Project Timeline: Initial discussions regarding the clinic began during the Facilities Master Plan Workshops, which kicked off on May 18, 2023. The relocation was approved by the Board at the October 21, 2024, meeting as a component of the "Phase 1" projects.

• Total Projected Cost: The total investment for this project is $1,320,000. This includes $220,000 for the building purchase and $1,100,000 for necessary building renovations and associated expenses.

• The rationale for this project was to allow for the expansion of Everest High School, something the Board felt was a high priority, because it is cost effective for the District to serve our students at an alternative school environment here in D100 instead of sending them to an out of District placement that is typically a high cost to the District.  Further, the Wellness Clinic is offered as part of our insurance for staff because we are a self-funded district so giving our employees access to healthcare also is a cost effective benefit for the District.

The D100 Administration is dedicated to supporting Perry students and families during the transition. Our primary goal is to ensure that students can attend their preferred school and remain with their peers whenever possible.

Our Transition and Legacy Commitment is linked here.