Unit 4 board voted 7-0 to submit $192 million building bond question to voters in Nov. 3 election

CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign Community Unit School District 4 Board of Education voted 7-0 on Aug. 17 to submit a $192 million school building bond question to voters in the Nov. 3 election, according to draft minutes posted by the district.

Member Christy Arnold moved and Member Fatima Ahmed seconded the resolution, the minutes say.

According to the ballot question in the minutes, the money would build a new middle school; renovate Jefferson Middle School; tear down and rebuild Franklin STEAM Academy on the same site; replace International Prep Academy's grades 6-8 building with an addition to its K-5 building and renovate that building; and renovate Garden Hills Academy, including its geothermal heating and cooling. It would also improve special education facilities and school grounds and buy land.

The minutes say adopting the resolution was the only board action needed to send the question to voters. If voters approve, the board must pass a second resolution to issue and sell the bonds, according to the board's Aug. 17 action item.

Source: Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education minutes and action item, Aug. 17, 2026.