Yorkville Council Approves Annexation for New School Development

The city of Yorkville has officially annexed and rezoned a **106-acre** property to facilitate the construction of a new school for Yorkville School District 115. This decision, made by the City Council on **February 11, 2024**, enables the school district to advance its plans for the site, which is located west of the current high school campus and north of River Road. The council’s approval comes as voters prepare to decide on funding for the school during the **March 17** primary election.

The proposed funding, which totals **$275 million**, will be voted on in a referendum. While the final development plan for the property will be submitted after the vote, the council’s measures were necessary for the school district to begin preparations. During a public hearing held on **January 14**, residents expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on traffic and stormwater drainage in the area near River Road.

In response to these concerns, **Heather DiVerde**, the executive director of facility operations for the district, assured attendees that the new school plans would minimize disruption along River Road. DiVerde clarified that there are no intentions to construct a road from the north to the south end of the property near River Road. Instead, the access road will originate from **U.S. Route 34** at **Beecher Road**.

To address potential traffic issues, the school district is currently in discussions with **Rush Copley Healthcare Center**, located near the proposed access point, about possibly utilizing some of its land for a secondary exit from the school property. Although preliminary talks have taken place regarding the establishment of a new fire station for the **Bristol Kendall Fire Protection District** on the school site, specific details about the station’s location and access remain undisclosed.

The **106-acre** property was purchased from the Conover family last summer for approximately **$2 million**. It is situated a quarter-mile west of the high school and is expected to house either a new middle school or an elementary school. Both options are part of the district’s plan to expand educational facilities to meet the needs of a growing community.

In addition to the current project, the school district aims to rezone an adjacent **45-acre** property near the high school. If the referendum is approved, residents will have the opportunity to participate in public hearings regarding any final building plans, which will subsequently require approval from the City Council.

As the March election approaches, the outcome will not only determine the funding for the new school but also shape the future of education in Yorkville, reflecting the community’s commitment to meeting the demands of its expanding population.