Jacksonville School District Eyes $15.55M Bond for New Elementary School

District to consider issuing bonds to replace aging Murrayville-Woodson elementary campus

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Jacksonville School District 117 board is meeting on February 18, 2026 to consider issuing up to $15.55 million in general obligation alternate bonds to build and equip a new elementary school, replacing the aging Murrayville-Woodson campus. The board will also weigh approval of a $1,256 annual surety bond related to a previous 2025 bond issue.

Why it matters

The new elementary school project is part of the district's multiyear plan to replace its aging facilities, which school leaders argue is more cost-effective than extensive renovations to the century-old Murrayville-Woodson building. The bond issue would allow the district to move forward with construction without a public referendum, as long as it can be fully funded without raising property taxes.

The details

The Jacksonville School District 117 board will meet on February 18, 2026 to consider issuing up to $15.55 million in general obligation alternate bonds to build and equip a new elementary school. The board will also weigh approval of a $1,256 annual surety bond tied to the district's 2025 bond issue. The meeting will include a closed session to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining, student disciplinary cases, potential real-estate purchases or leases, and pending litigation.

  • The Jacksonville School District 117 board meeting is scheduled for February 18, 2026 at 6 p.m.
  • The board moved to a 6 p.m. start time for regular meetings in July 2025.

The players

Jacksonville School District 117

The public school district serving the city of Jacksonville, Illinois.

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What’s next

The board will vote on whether to approve the $15.55 million bond issue and the $1,256 annual surety bond at the February 18 meeting. If approved, the district can move forward with plans to construct the new elementary school without a public referendum, as long as the project can be fully funded without raising property taxes.

The takeaway

This bond proposal is a key step in Jacksonville School District 117's multiyear effort to replace its aging elementary school facilities, which school leaders believe is more cost-effective than extensive renovations. The new school would allow the district to modernize its infrastructure and provide a better learning environment for students, while avoiding the need for a public tax increase.