District 73 Seeks Input on Hawthorn Middle School North Upgrades

VERNON HILLS, IL — The Hawthorn School District 73 will hold a community forum for members of the public to provide input for the development of plans to expand and renovate Hawthorn Middle School North. The event will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at the Middle School North gym, 201 Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills, according to a news release. At the community forum, the public will have the opportunity to review initial design plans and provide input.

“Middle School North is here to serve the community,” said Interim Superintendent Mark Friedman. “We want this building to truly feel like home for middle school students, and we feel that community input on its new design is essential.”

The expansion and renovation of Middle School North, 201 W. Hawthorn Parkway in Vernon Hills, is one component of the district’s official Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP). Developed by a core team of community members, staff, administrators and facility leadership, the EFMP is a 10-year plan to support the district’s growing needs and long-term strategic plan, according to a news release.

In addition to the expansion of Middle School North, the EFMP includes the construction of a kindergarten building adjacent to the Sullivan Community Center, as well as the expansion and renovation of Middle School South and the district’s elementary schools. The passage of a $48.7 million bond referendum in 2018 made it possible for the district to move forward with its EFMP plans.

Approximately $9.8 million has been budgeted for the expansion of Middle School North, a 90,700-square-foot building that was built in 1975. It has not received any new additions since then, school officials said.

The Board of Education recently selected Legat Architects, which previously designed the district’s Townline Elementary and worked on other district building renovations, to design the layout of the new Middle School North. Projected to be completed by July of 2021, the expansion/renovation includes:

• Seven new classrooms
• The addition of a full gym
• Renovation of locker room and upper gym for fitness
• Fine arts additions

Hawthorn School District 73 is a preschool through eighth-grade public school district serving more than 4,200 students. It serves all or portions of the communities of Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Libertyville, Indian Creek and unincorporated areas of Lake County, Illinois.