Planned $67M addition at Morris Community High School with construction managers and architects coordinating schedules and budgets.
Morris, Illinois, August 13, 2025
District leaders unveiled a financing roadmap to fund a voter-approved $67 million addition to Morris Community High School. Advisers recommended seeking a new credit rating and selling bonds in stages — an initial roughly $14.7 million sale, a larger issuance in 2026 and a final tranche in 2027 — with timing tied to monthly construction draw schedules. A construction manager contract is in place and architects are finalizing designs; officials pledged regular online updates. Staged sales aim to match borrowing to spending and potentially lower taxpayer costs through reduced carrying expenses and improved credit terms.
The school district has a clear path to pay for a voter-approved $67 million addition, but officials will rely on a staged bond program and a new credit rating to keep borrowing costs low. Financial advisers told the school board the district should seek an updated rating from a different agency than the last review and sell bonds in parts tied to construction needs.
The district last had a credit analysis completed in 2021 with a mid-range grade that signaled solid finances but some exposure to risk. Advisers recommended getting a fresh rating from a different major rating agency to try to raise that score. A stronger rating would lower interest costs when bonds are sold.
Rather than issuing the full amount at once, advisers proposed a staged approach that follows expected spending. One recommended schedule calls for three sales: about $14.7 million this October, $37.6 million in September 2026, and $14.7 million in September 2027. Alternative timing scenarios were presented, including a single larger issuance in September 2026 and a split that shifts part of the sale into January 2027. Final timing will depend on construction draw rates and market conditions.
A construction manager contract was approved in June with a firm that will oversee the project. Advisers said early spending estimates are provisional and will be refined once the construction manager is deeper into planning and work has started. The district superintendent will keep the community informed on project design and progress through the district website.
Board members were reminded that architects are still completing plans and that visible construction activity will follow final design and permitting steps. The advisers emphasized that bond sale timing will be adjusted to match actual cash needs as the project moves from planning into construction.
Selling bonds in stages reduces interest costs by matching borrowing to when money is actually required. It also gives time to secure the best possible credit grade before large sales. Advisers noted that construction schedules, material costs, and interest-rate moves all affect the optimal sale timetable.
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The district will pursue a new credit rating and finalize a bond sale timetable in the months ahead. Expect more precise construction budgets and a clearer spending draw schedule once the construction manager advances design work over the next year.
The district will issue bonds and is planning staggered sales to match construction spending over several years.
No. Advisers recommended selling portions of the bonds across multiple dates based on spending needs and market conditions.
A higher rating can lower borrowing costs by reducing the interest rate the district pays on bonds.
Design work is ongoing; visible construction will start after final plans, permits, and a construction schedule are in place. Officials expect clearer timing within a year as the construction manager refines the plan.
The district hired a construction manager to oversee the project and provide updated cost and schedule guidance as work proceeds.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project cost | $67,000,000 |
| Planned bond schedule (recommended) | $14.7M Oct (year 1); $37.6M Sept (year 2); $14.7M Sept (year 3) |
| Alternatives | Single larger sale or different split with a January issuance option |
| Credit rating focus | Obtain updated rating from a major agency to seek a higher grade and lower borrowing costs |
| Construction oversight | Construction manager contracted to refine costs and draw schedule as design advances |
| Community updates | District will post regular updates online as design and construction move forward |
This article summarizes recent decisions and recommendations about school project financing and related news developments. Readers should expect further updates as project design, rating reviews, and market conditions evolve.
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