As Kaneland School District #302 prepares to move forward with construction tied to the voter-approved referendum, district leaders say the changes will go beyond classrooms and athletics, extending into transportation, facilities and daily operations.
While much of the progress so far has taken place behind the scenes, officials say the district is now entering a phase where students and the community will begin to see visible changes.
“We spent the summer getting things in line financially,” Superintendent Dr. Kurt Rohlwing said. “We had to sell bonds to essentially get startup money for the projects.”
Rohlwing explained that bonds function in a manner similar to a long-term loan, giving the district access to funds upfront while paying them back over time. From there, the district moved into months of planning, including visits to other schools, meetings with staff and collecting input from community groups.
“There’s been a lot of activity in terms of fleshing out the designs,” Director of Buildings and Grounds Mark Payton said. He noted that while the overall scope of the referendum cannot change, the details within it have been carefully developed through those conversations.
That planning has now transitioned into bidding and preparation for construction. The first rounds of bids have already been approved, covering projects scheduled to begin this summer.
With permitting still being finalized, Rohlwing said the district expects to begin breaking ground in May or June on some major projects, including a new transportation center and maintenance facility. Interior work will begin once students leave for summer break.
By the end of 2026, Payton said the district expects to complete several noticeable upgrades, including renovated classrooms, updated restrooms, new playgrounds and the new transportation and maintenance buildings.
“A lot of classrooms will be remodeled here in the high school…a lot of restrooms…new playgrounds,” Payton said, describing what the community can expect to see in the near term.
Much of this summer’s work will focus on cosmetic updates such as lighting, flooring and paint, while more intensive renovations and structural changes are planned for the summer of 2027.
The construction of one of the largest projects, a new fieldhouse, will begin this summer but is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
“To build something that big takes time,” Rohlwing said, noting the size and complexity of the facility.
While construction will be ongoing, Rohlwing said the impact on students during the school year should remain minimal. Work areas will be fenced off and monitored, and projects will be carefully scheduled to avoid peak traffic times.
“We’ll have fencing, signage and additional security measures in place,” Payton said.
Transportation staff is also expected to benefit from the referendum, particularly with the addition of a new centralized facility near Harter Middle School.
According to transportation director Davis Espe, the district’s current fleet includes 47 full-size buses, five special education buses and two activity vehicles, which he said aligns well with current needs.
However, Espe noted that the district’s size presents ongoing challenges.
“The biggest challenge would be balancing distance with consistency,” Espe said, explaining that Kaneland spans 142 square miles across nine towns, requiring careful coordination across both suburban and rural areas.
Keeping student ride times reasonable remains a key priority.
“Our goal is to not have students on the bus for more than one hour,” Espe said, adding that routes are constantly adjusted using software and driver feedback.
The new transportation facility is expected to improve efficiency by centralizing operations and providing more space for maintenance and repairs.
“The referendum allows us to be more proactive instead of reactive,” Espe said. He explained that the upgraded facility will lead to faster repairs, better preventative maintenance and more consistent service.
Maintaining the district’s fleet is an ongoing effort, especially with challenges like extreme weather and aging equipment.
“Our mechanics are critical,” Espe said. “They allow us to respond quickly to issues and maintain a high standard of care across the fleet.”
When staffing is limited, he said the district prioritizes ensuring that students can get to and from school, even if it means adjusting schedules for other activities.
“Routes are the number one priority,” Espe said.
Across all areas of the referendum, safety and accountability remain central focuses. Rohlwing emphasized that all spending is reviewed and approved by the Kaneland Board of Education.
“Any penny that we spend is approved by the board,” Rohlwing said.
Payton added that construction projects are carefully managed and vetted through a formal bidding process and ongoing oversight.
Looking ahead, district leaders say the full impact of the referendum will take several years to complete, with the most significant changes occurring by the fall of 2027.
In the meantime, they acknowledge that construction may bring some inconvenience.
“Be patient with us,” Rohlwing said. “Construction is a challenge…but we’re doing our best to make everything as smooth as possible.”
Espe said he hopes families will begin to notice improvements in everyday operations, especially in transportation.
“I hope families notice buses arriving on time, clear communication and a dependable system they can trust and rely on,” Espe said.
Together, district leaders say the goal of the referendum is not just to update buildings, but to improve the overall experience for students across every part of the district.
