Construction continues on the Rock Valley Community School District’s voter-approved building project, with district officials providing an update on progress, timeline, and changes made following the 2024 flood.
Voters approved a $25 million bond issue in 2023, with an additional roughly $7 million through a sales tax bond, bringing the total project to about $32 million. The addition is designed to address significant enrollment growth, which has increased by about 43 percent since the 2005–06 school year. District officials say that growth has pushed the building to its limits, forcing the use of nearly every available classroom and space within the school.
The project includes approximately 20 new classrooms, a new high school gym, music and fine arts spaces, and updated administrative areas. Because the district operates a K-12 facility under one roof, the addition is expected to shift grade levels and create space across multiple parts of the building, helping relieve crowding at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.
One key part of the project, the enclosure of an outdoor courtyard, was not originally planned.
District officials say several mitigation measures were incorporated into the project following the flood, including raising the foundation of the new addition and redesigning certain areas of the building.
Additional mitigation efforts under consideration include installing flood panels around the building, raising windows, and adding flood protection to entryways.
The timeline for the project has also shifted. The district originally planned to move into the new space in the fall of 2026, but construction was delayed following the flood. Officials now expect the addition to be ready by the fall of 2027.
Meanwhile, the district continues working through the federal reimbursement process for flood-related expenses.
District officials say they have moved forward with necessary work to keep school operations on track, with the expectation that FEMA funds will reimburse a portion of those costs once projects are finalized.
Van Voorst says the process has required additional time and administrative work as the district balances recovery efforts with day-to-day operations.
Despite those challenges, the district has continued moving forward with the project while planning for long-term growth.
Van Voorst says the addition is designed to position the district for the future, providing space for students, staff, and the broader community for years to come.
