The vote follows a month of gathering feedback from over 200 students, parents, staff and community members.
Initial proposals suggested Aberdeen Academy and Palmer Elementary students relocate to a renovated space at North Park Academy but based on feedback, GRPS concluded that location would be too far from where Aberdeen and Palmer families live.
The district will now vote on whether to build a new elementary school behind the current Aberdeen Academy, which would allow for students to continue attending Aberdeen during construction. Once opened in 2027, the new school would replace Aberdeen and Palmer.
According to GRPS, one major concern for community members is the demolition of the historic Aberdeen building once the new school opens. The proposal to build new was made after it was determined renovations to Aberdeen would cost nearly $32 million, which would exceed 80% of the cost of a new build.
The new school is expected to cost $35 million and be funded by the bond passed by voters last November.
The board is expected to vote on the project at Monday evening’s regularly scheduled board meeting. If passed, it would be the first new school built on the city’s northeast side since 1965.
