Citizens For A New Central Middle School Back Referendum For A New CMS On Nov. 3 Ballot

EVERGREEN PARK, IL—Parents of former and current Central Middle School students are getting behind a referendum for a new CMS. Citizens For A New Central Middle School have created a Facebook group as a means of getting fact-based information out to voters.

"The goal of our group is to inform and get the right information out there and get the referendum passed," said Tim Scanlon, a long-time resident and retired educator.

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The Evergreen Park ESD 124 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution last month to place a $68 million bond referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. Voters will go to the polls to answer yes or no to funding a new CMS:

"Shall the Board of Education of Evergreen Park School District Number 124, Cook County, Illinois, build and equip a school building to replace the Central Middle School Building, including construction of secured entryways, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance measures, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning spaces, a gymnasium, and a storm shelter, and installation of safety and security systems, and technology infrastructure and equipment; improve the site thereof, including reconfiguration of parking lots and drop-off/pick-up zones; and issue its bonds in the amount of $68,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?"

Dist. 124 officials said time and use have taken their toll on the 99-year-old Central Middle School, including aging systems, safety and security issues, accessibility challenges, poor air quality, energy inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure that hinders teaching and learning.

A new Central Middle School facility focused on enhancing safety and security, and providing modern and effective learning environments will serve current and future generations of Evergreen Park students.

Should voters approve the referendum, homeowners would see an estimated LY2026 Tax Bill Change of $604, or approximately $50 per month for a $300,000 home, according to district officials..

Citizens for a New Central Middle School have been hitting Dist. 124's back-to-school events and is reaching out to Evergreen Park's only remaining parochial school, Most Holy Redeemer. Parents of students currently enrolled in Southeast, Southwest, Northeast and Northwest elementary schools are receptive to the idea. Older residents and residents whose children have long passed through CMS aren't so easily convinced that it's the right time for a referendum when people are dealing with skyrocketing gas and grocery costs.

"There's more than one reason to build a new middle school," Scanlon said. "Not only age but also improved facilities for this generation and the next generation. [CMS] is part of the neighborhood's infrastructure and identity. We want to attract new residents for the future, and you do that by keeping your institutions and infrastructure strong. If our roads needed fixing, we'd repair them."

Among Central Middle School's maladies are aging systems, safety and security issues, accessibility challenges, poor air quality, energy inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure that hinders teaching and learning. Dist. 124 officials say the costs of maintaining the existing building will only cost taxpayers more money down the road.

"We've worked hard to maintain our facilities, but time and use have taken their toll," the school district said in a statement on its website. "Central Middle School has aging systems, safety and security issues, accessibility challenges, poor air quality, energy inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure that hinders teaching and learning … Acting now protects our buildings and our students while saving taxpayers money in the long run."

At nearly a century old, the district maintains Central Middle School has many urgent needs, including:

• Overcrowded classrooms and hallways with poor circulation and accessibility concerns
• 17 separate entry points, raising security concerns
• Outdated, inefficient HVAC and mechanical systems
• Basement classrooms and cafeteria with no natural light
• Undersized library/media center, science labs, and common areas
• No auditorium or collaborative learning spaces
• Traffic congestion and parking issues that affect student and community safety.

A new Central Middle School would be built on the current site. Students will continue to attend classes in the existing building as the new building is being constructed.

The new proposed facility would include:

• Stronger building security and improved ADA accessibility
• Improved air quality and climate control with updated mechanical systems
• Flexible classrooms to support modern instruction
• Updated science labs and a new library/media center
• A combined gym/auditorium with space for community use
• Improved parking and traffic flow

"We've been doing a survey at back-to-school events, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive," Scanlon said. "We are on track to have a good solid referendum to keep the momentum moving forward."

The last time the district held a bond referendum election in October of 1970 with the following proposition, which was approved by voters:

"Shall the Board of Education of School District Number 124, Cook County, Illinois, construct additions to and alter, repair, and equip all the existing school buildings of said District now in use for school purposes and known as the Central School, Northeast School, Northwest School, Southeast School, and Southwest School, all located in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and to issue bonds to pay the cost thereof of said School District to the amount of $1,250,000.00?"

The district revised its plans and funding plans based on community feedback last year. Originally, the plan involved capital improvements at all five D124 schools, but after meeting with architects, the highest need capital project was a new middle school. D124 officials say the proposition is $41 million less than what was initially proposed.

"The challenges are not going away and construction costs continue to rise," the district said on its website. "So the board of education chose to bring the proposal to voters for consideration in the November 3, 2026 election."

Questions can be directed to Dr. Jenna Woodland, Superintendent of Schools, at 708-423-0950 or jwoodland@d124.org.

For the latest information on the referendum, visit the Citizens For A New Central School Facebook group.