Election Day: March 17, 2026

William Holliday Elementary (1959) and Pontiac Junior High (1976) were built long before today’s safety standards, accessibility requirements and educational needs, and both now require significant repairs. 

If approved by voters, the bond proposal would allow Pontiac William Holliday School District 105 to build a new school designed to address state-required safety issues, space limitations and learning needs in one comprehensive project to serve students now and for generations to come.

Facility Needs and Required Updates

State Identified Building Challenges

William Holliday Elementary and Pontiac Junior High have electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and roofing systems that require significant attention. The district also has state-identified Health/Life Safety violations in both buildings that we are required, by law, to be corrected. These violations alone are projected to cost approximately $13 million.

Impact of Ongoing Maintenance and Delayed Repairs

As buildings continue to age, problems become more frequent and harder to fix. Over time, costs increase, repairs become more disruptive, and temporary fixes replace long-term solutions.

Space and learning conditions

Space is limited

Classrooms are crowded, and some students are learning in hallways because there is nowhere else for instruction to take place. The proposal includes building a new, combined school to create additional classroom space and address crowding across the district.

Safety and accessibility

Safety and accessibility challenges

When these schools were built, safety expectations were very different. Buildings were not designed to control access at entry points, protect our students during emergencies, or meet current fire safety standards. 

The proposal includes safety and security improvements (including secure entrances, strengthened fire safety features, and safer classroom doors) and accessibility improvements, so facilities can be used by all students.

What the bond proposal would address

If approved by voters, the bond proposal would allow the district to construct a Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade school to address facility and space needs, including:

• Address state-required Health/Life Safety violations

• Replace aging electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and roofing systems

• Improve safety and security

• Improve accessibility for all students

• Eliminate crowding and students learning in hallways

Community Impact

Schools play a central role in the life of a community. The quality and condition of local schools help maintain stable neighborhoods and protect property values.

Financial Impact

Bond proposal (if approved by voters): $75.1 million
Estimated additional investment: about $18 per week for the owner of a home with a fair market value of $200,000.

How to vote

Early voting begins February 5, 2026

You can vote early at:

• Starting February 5, 2026, at the St. Clair County Clerk’s Office (during regular early voting hours)

• Starting March 2, 2026, at The Rec Complex of Fairview Heights (9950 Bunkum Rd, Fairview Heights, IL 62208)

  • March 2-6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • March 7, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

  • March 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • March 9-13, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

  • March 14, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • March 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • March 16, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

For the most up-to-date early voting hours and locations, visit the St. Clair County Clerk website atstclaircountyil.gov/departments/county-clerk/elections and click on 2026 Election Resources

Election Day: March 17, 2026

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Find your polling place by visiting the St. Clair County Clerk’s website and clicking Polling Place Locations.

Who Can Vote

In Illinois, a person is eligible to vote if they are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, and have lived in the precinct for at least 30 days before the election. 

Voters cannot be serving a sentence in jail or prison following a felony conviction. Residents who meet these requirements may register and vote during early voting, through grace period voting or on Election Day at their assigned polling place.

Need to register, or update your registration?

In Illinois, grace period voting allows eligible residents to register to vote or update their registration after the regular deadline and cast a ballot at the same time. The grace period runs from about 28 days before an election through Election Day. Grace period voting is available in person at designated locations, such as election authority offices and early voting sites. Voters must bring required identification and vote at the time they register or update their information.

Achieving New Heights

This past fall, our Achieving New Heights committee engaged with the community through workshops, school tours, an open house and an online survey to understand the community’s vision for the future of Pontiac William Holliday School District 105, In the final report to the board, the community agreed the district should:

• Pursue a bold, future-focused solution that addresses long-term educational and facility needs.

• Balance financial responsibility with lasting value, ensuring that new investments serve generations of students.

• Engage staff and community members in the design process to ensure that future buildings reflect local priorities and values.

• Incorporate flexible learning environments that support academic excellence, equity and student well-being.

• Maintain transparency and communication throughout the planning and decision-making process.

To learn more about this process, please visit the Achieving New Heights page.

Disclaimer: These materials were paid for by Pontiac William Holliday School District 105 and are intended solely to disseminate and provide factual information about a question that will be before voters. They are not intended to advocate, support, oppose, or defeat the measure. Each voter should vote for or against the question based on their own judgment.