Construction Begins on $40 Million Herscher Intermediate School

Construction has officially commenced on the new Herscher Intermediate School, a project valued at nearly $40 million. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, marking a significant milestone for Herscher School District 2 as it prepares to replace its aging facilities. The new school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.

The new facility will occupy a vacant lot located directly behind the current intermediate school and Herscher High School, at the intersection of North Elm Street and West Third Street. Designed to accommodate students in grades two through four, the building will serve approximately 360 students this year, featuring three pods of six classrooms, a competition-sized gymnasium, an outdoor classroom, and various other spaces. The total area of the new structure will be around 57,000 square feet.

Project Timeline and Community Involvement

The total projected cost of the project is approximately $37.9 million. According to Rich Decman, the district’s superintendent, construction is set to begin as early as next week, with completion anticipated by May or June of 2027. Following the completion of the new school, the old intermediate facility will be demolished, with final touches on the project expected by November or December of 2027.

Decman noted that the construction process will impact the district’s academic calendar for the next couple of years. During the upcoming board meeting on Tuesday, the board will vote on implementing a modified calendar. For the 2026-27 school year, students will start earlier than usual, around August 10, and finish earlier as well. The following academic year, students will not return until after Labor Day, allowing for a longer summer break during the transition to the new building.

Students and parents have expressed enthusiasm for the new facility. Darlene Crane, an eight-year-old student who will be in fourth grade when the school opens, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony. “I’m excited to have all new spaces, from new classrooms and a gym to the cafeteria and playground,” she said. Her mother, Ashley Hansen, who attended the ceremony with her children, stated, “We love the school district. We’re excited to see it grow.”

Community Feedback Shapes Development

A community advisory committee, composed of local residents, teachers, and administrators, has been active in providing input throughout the planning stages. After the groundbreaking, the committee convened in the Herscher Intermediate School library to discuss interior design elements for the new building. This group has met periodically for approximately a year to ensure that community needs and preferences are considered.

Norma Applegate, a retired teacher with 34 years of service in the district and a former school board member, reflected on the need for the upgrade. “I’m 77; I started third grade here. It’s time for an upgrade,” she remarked, noting the old building’s extensive history and multiple additions over the years. The committee has also provided feedback on the building’s location and other essential planning details.

In August 2024, the school board reversed its initial decision to construct an addition to Limestone Middle School, opting instead for the new intermediate school after receiving considerable community opposition. Applegate praised the board for being receptive to public input, stating, “The community members became very active in the planning.”

The new Herscher Intermediate School represents an investment in the future of local education. As construction progresses, the community looks forward to witnessing the transformation of their educational landscape.