DeKalb School District Advances Plans for New Early Learning Center

Plans are underway for the construction of a new early learning development center (ELDC) in DeKalb School District 428. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for young learners without the need for a public referendum. The district is considering funding options for the new facility, which will be built near Normal and Dresser roads, adjacent to DeKalb High School.

In 2023, the land for the ELDC was donated to the district, setting the stage for a significant expansion. According to Billy Hueramo, the district’s director of teaching and learning for elementary education, the goal is clear: to create a long-term solution that addresses future growth rather than temporary fixes. “We were asked at [Facilities and Finance Committee] to come up with a long-term plan,” Hueramo stated.

Currently, the ELDC operates out of ten classrooms at Huntley Middle School, but the new facility could accommodate up to 24 classrooms. This expansion is part of a broader effort to reduce middle school class sizes from 35 to 30 students, following a previous reduction in elementary class sizes from 28 to 25. Kyle Gerdes, the district’s director of student services, emphasized that early intervention is crucial for students’ academic success and well-being. “We have to intervene earlier than we are right now,” Gerdes said.

The current constraints faced by the ELDC have become apparent, as Shannon Armstrong, the principal of the program, revealed that they are unable to serve all interested families. “We’re currently full, and we have 98 children on the waitlist,” Armstrong noted. The DeKalb County Health Department has also directed families away from the ELDC due to lack of available space, further highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated facility.

The proposed construction of the new ELDC is scheduled to commence in April 2027, with renovations at Huntley Middle School aimed for completion by June 2028. This will enable the school to better serve students in grades seven and eight. The district also intends to restore Founders Elementary School and reestablish Clinton Rosette Middle School to cater to grades five and six, reverting other elementary schools to a K-4 service model.

In interviews, educational leaders within the district have shared positive insights regarding the impact of reduced class sizes. Ben Erickson, assistant principal at Lincoln Elementary School, expressed the benefits of smaller classroom settings: “We do see a huge difference in just the ability for teachers to be able to work with a smaller group of students.” Similarly, Brant Boyer, principal of Clinton Rosette Middle School, affirmed that these changes have significantly enhanced teaching and learning experiences at the elementary level.

Despite the broad support among board members for moving forward without a referendum, some voiced concerns about community engagement. The majority believe that a ballot measure could potentially lead to misunderstandings regarding the district’s financial intentions. Chris Boyes, board president, stated, “I think that this is just too valuable work that we need to do to get our district where it needs to be.”

Board member Nick Atwood previously supported the idea of a referendum but has since changed his stance. He expressed concern that voters unfamiliar with the specifics of the proposal may react negatively to a referendum. “There’ll be a knee-jerk reaction to vote against it,” Atwood said.

The total estimated costs for the new ELDC and the renovations at Huntley Middle School are projected at $32.3 million and $840,000, respectively. Funding is anticipated to come primarily from the district’s share of the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone, which provides tax benefits to promote economic growth.

Some board members, including Mark Charvat, conveyed the importance of community transparency and involvement in the planning process. “I believe for transparency purposes, the community should be involved,” Charvat stated. Others, like Kristin Bailey, cautioned against seeking a referendum when it may not be necessary, emphasizing that the board should focus on executing their plans effectively.

This initiative reflects a commitment to providing quality education and support for young learners in DeKalb School District 428. As the district moves forward with its plans, the emphasis on early childhood education and adequate resources remains a critical focus for the community and its leaders.