The exciting new building expansion coming to Amos Alonzo Stagg High School is halfway complete. 

Phase one began last summer and concluded in the spring with the scope of work contained to the south courtyard. This phase included a row of eight classrooms on the first floor. The second floor includes two science labs, a rooftop environmental space, and teacher workspace. 

Phase two began on the heels of phase one in the spring and is scheduled to concluded in the spring of 2025 with the scope of work contained to the North courtyard. This work will include three classrooms on the first floor, along with teacher workspace, five offices, and two meeting rooms, which can be converted into one large conference room. Upstairs on a new second floor, two science labs, two classrooms, an office, and a science prep area will be added. 

The Stagg expansion project is more than just about adding much-needed space to a high school; it’s also about adding space strategically and creatively, viewing the project through the lens of a 22nd-century learner. It’s about being imaginative and resourceful with our space. Stagg’s expansion is just one of many changes that will occur at District 230. We intend to approach each new project and every facility improvement, with an eye toward innovation. 

District 230 strives for equitable resources and consistent curriculum, while at the same time meeting the needs of three distinct student bodies and allowing for individualized delivery of instruction and programming specific to each school.

More than three years ago, the district undertook a space study at all three schools and revealed interesting and vital information. Stagg’s enrollment is greater than Andrew High School by about 400 students and shy of Sandburg by only about 300 students, yet its building footprint is significantly smaller than both campuses. 

Per the study, Stagg has an average of 170 square feet per student, compared to 198 at Sandburg and 238 at Andrew. When reviewing available rooms, it was determined that many periods throughout the day had very few usable classrooms available, leaving Stagg vulnerable to challenges accommodating student schedules and leaving Stagg very much at risk during times of increasing enrollment.  This is only made worse when and if rooms have to be removed from usage for maintenance purposes. In short, there are significant challenges to building operations. In addition, the high demand and low supply of science labs obligates some classes to be offered during zero hour.

The facility analysis that solidified our need for additional space was conducted by Studio GC Architecture and Interiors. The architects assigned to the project are Stagg alumni Nikki Bridges and Brian Otte. Having two former Chargers leading and managing this project is incredible. Each of them spent their high school years walking our hallways and learning in our classrooms. 

Nikki and Brian had the task of surveying every inch of our facilities to determine how and where additional space could be found. They also sought the input of staff to determine the needs and wants of those working in the building. Once a plan was proposed, costs were estimated and brought to the Board of Education.

The Board gave the green light to finalize the plan and prepare the bid documents. 

The expansion will include:

• 11 classrooms

• 4 science labs

• 1 rooftop environmental learning space

• 1 science prep area

• New staff preparation areas

• 8 offices and

• 1 conference room

Another benefit of the expansion will be new and improved hallway traffic patterns. With the expansion, some stairwells will be purposefully closed and others strategically relocated to alleviate congestion.

The cost of the expansion project is approximately $15 million and is being funded through debt service extension and leveraging ESSER grant funds. The district has issued bonds for the project and will pay back principal and interest over time to spread out the burden over the next 10 years, as opposed to increasing the tax rate or constraining the budget over a shorter term. Given the high credit rating District 230 has had over many years, a very attractive interest rate was secured to support this project at a reasonable cost to the district allowing the borrowing to be paid off over the next 8-10 years, similar to a home mortgage.  

This expansion is modest in size but will help bring much-needed, long-overdue classroom and teacher workspace to Stagg. It will allow for greater programming flexibility and give students some breathing room as they navigate the hallways.