The decision to pursue a bond referendum did not come quickly. It emerged over several years of planning, research and community conversations.

The work began during the district’s Strategic Planning process in the spring and summer of 2024, when parents, staff and community members gathered to review the district’s mission, vision, priorities and long-term needs. Again and again, the condition of the school buildings surfaced as a concern, along with the need for a clear, long-range facilities plan. That feedback prompted a comprehensive facilities review, including the state-required Illinois Health/Life Safety inspection conducted every 10 years. The findings were extensive, documenting aging electrical, plumbing, ventilation, roofing and accessibility systems, many of which are Health/Life Safety issues the district is legally required to address.

In fall 2025, the district and community members took the next step together by launching the Achieving New Heights community engagement program. A committee of parents, residents, and staff worked alongside district leadership to develop a process to involve the community in planning the future of PWH’s school buildings.

The Achieving New Heights volunteers and school district used multiple communication methods to encourage awareness and participation in the program, including email, a dedicated website, social media, door-to-door outreach, flyers, yard signs, outreach to community organizations and text messages. Throughout the fall, more than 400 residents shared input through building tours, workshops, an open house, door-to-door conversations and a districtwide survey.

Community members walked the halls of William Holliday Elementary and Pontiac Junior High, saw the aging systems firsthand and discussed what could realistically be fixed, what could remain and what future repairs would cost. Participants were presented with five facility options, ranging from addressing only Health/Life Safety violations to full renovations and new construction. Each option was reviewed alongside cost estimates, construction timelines and the potential impact on students and daily operations.

Across events and in survey responses, a clear pattern emerged. The community consistently pointed to aging infrastructure, safety and security limitations, accessibility challenges and classroom crowding as the district’s most pressing issues. The survey reflected the same priorities, with respondents emphasizing state-required safety and maintenance needs, building security and the need to reduce crowded learning spaces.

Taken together, the facility assessments, expert analysis, and extensive feedback led the community and district to conclude that a single new building was the most responsible long-term solution. The recommendation to seek a bond referendum reflects that process — one shaped by research, public input and a shared effort to plan thoughtfully for the future of our schools and community.

Pontiac-William Holliday School District 105

ABOUT THE BOND REFERENDUM

What is the Pontiac William Holliday School District 105 bond referendum?

How was the bond referendum developed?

Why is this on the ballot now?

What state-required safety and building issues do our current schools need to fix?

What happens if we decide to leave things as they are?

What specific safety and security updates will be included in the new building?

How does the district expect enrollment to change in the future?

Where will the new location for the new school be?

What would be the timeline for completion of the projects?

Beyond improving our schools, how will the bond issue help the community?

I have a question. How can I find out more?

ABOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Who does Pontiac William Holliday School District 105 serve?

When were the current elementary and junior high schools built?

FUNDING & FINANCE

How is the school district funded?

How were the cost estimates determined for the new school building?

What happens if economic conditions change and prices for projects increase?

How will this bond referendum impact my property taxes?

Can any of the proposed bond funding go toward anything other than building needs?

VOTING

How will the bond referendum appear on the ballot?

When is the election?

Where do I find details about registering to vote, early voting, absentee voting and election day voting?

When does early voting begin?

Where can I vote?

Who can vote in the March 17 election?