Aylesworth Elementary School would be razed and a new Willowcreek Middle School built under a plan being considered by the Portage Township Schools Board.
No tax increase would be needed for the construction. New debt would be incurred as old debt is retired.
Willowcreek is the district’s oldest school building.
The $96.5 million plan includes $86.2 million to build the new middle school, demolish Aylesworth and, when the new school is built, the existing Willowcreek school; $8.3 million to relocate career and technical education to Portage High School; and just under $2 million for upgrades throughout the district.
“The purpose of the Willowcreek Middle School project is to address a number of opportunities within the district to include building a middle school for all future Portage students, rebalancing enrollment across the district and creating the opportunity for an intermediate school,” Superintendent Amanda Alaniz said.
“The proposed plans address the needs of our students and families both now and in the future as we take into account the development potential and upcoming educational opportunities of our community,” she said. “While these plans are still preliminary in nature, I am excited at the potential they hold to enhance our district for all students.”
With the demolition of Aylesworth, enrollment at elementary schools would be rebalanced for more equitable class sizes throughout the district.
In addition, grades 5 and 6 would be in an intermediate building and grades 7 and 8 in a middle school building. That would allow seventh- and eighth-graders to take high school courses as well as CTE (career and technical education) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses.
“Everything right now is very preliminary,” school district communications director Melissa Deavers-Lowie said.
Recent projects include HVAC upgrades, flooring replacement, lighting projects, the L3 Lab and pool at Portage High School, and library renovations throughout the district.
The board is set to consider the proposal again at its Aug. 26 meeting.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
