Elgin Area School District U-46

Case Study

Client Challenge
Elgin Area School District U-46, the second-largest district in Illinois, had not developed a facility master plan in more than a decade. With declining enrollment, aging schools, and changing student needs, leaders needed a path forward.

Our Work
We partnered with U-46 to launch Unite U-46, a comprehensive community engagement process. More than 650 residents attended in-person sessions to discuss challenges across the district’s 57 schools. Their feedback was supplemented by a 300-sample telephone survey and an online survey completed by more than 2,000 residents, ensuring broad and representative input. We also guided the district’s communications and referendum campaign strategy to connect community priorities to a clear funding plan.

Results
The Board of Education placed a $179 million bond measure on the April 2023 ballot. It passed with 63 percent support, the only successful school proposal in Kane and Cook counties that spring and the highest-margin win among DuPage County school proposals.

Ongoing Impact
We continue working with U-46 through Unite U-46 Phase 3, engaging the community in updated boundary planning to support the successful implementation of the district’s facility master plan.

Logo designed by the community during the Unite U-46 engagement process.