DIXON, Ill. — A project is underway to the northeast of the Quad Cities on a plot of land with rich history.
The grounds aims to serve dozens of area special-needs students who've been traveling miles away from home and Dixon Public Schools.
The district is planning to open a therapeutic day school at 1261 IL-38 in Nachusa, Illinois.
"It's a big campus, with a lot of possibilities for the future," superintendent Margo Empen said. "It really feels like bringing it back home."
Empen said this development comes after a lack of space in other districts who assist in services. The other issue has been the need to keep students in their home area.
"There are times when maybe kids are sick, or they're not able to ride the bus home for some reason and parents are working," director of Lee County Special Education Association Corena Steinmeyer said.
Dominick Davis, an 8th grader, is one of roughly 80 students outplaced. His mother, Shelley Davis, said he spends two hours roundtrip to school everyday in the Quad Cities.
"He's sleeping more, because he sleeps on the bus and then he sleeps in school, because he's just so exhausted from the travel," Shelley said.
The new facility will mean upwards of 100 students will be enrolled, pending eligibility.
"I've been in the district for 30 years, and we have had to access service, longer than I've even been here," Empen said.
It will include ten classrooms split up in sections of grades K-12. Spaces will also offer PE, cafeteria and regular support-services.
"As in some of the HGTV shows, it's got really great bones," director of buildings and grounds Kevin Schultz said.
The district bought the 14-acre property with around eight buildings for $300,000. Renovations are estimated to cost $2 million over five years with the use of capital funds and county-wide sales tax.
An orphanage and children's foster care home used to sit on the property in the 1900s, according to James Higby with the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society.
The district is currently leasing out two buildings to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
Leaders hope to open the school by August 2024 after completing renovations, student enrollment and hiring staff.
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