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Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/31/26

Key Takeaways

  • The Moline-Coal Valley School District is building a new $33.8 million elementary school to merge Lincoln-Irving and Willard Elementary into a single K–5 facility serving 600 students.
  • The project includes a 61,000-square-foot addition and 32,000 square feet of renovations, with completion expected by fall 2027.
  • District leaders emphasize the school as a symbol of community values, collaboration, and long-term investment in student success.

The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School, and it will have the capacity for 600 students in grades K–5.

Construction will consist of a 61,000-square-foot addition and 32,000 square feet of renovations to the existing Lincoln-Irving facility, local news reports. The project has an estimated completion date of fall 2027 and will cost $33.8 million.

“This is an incredible honor and moment of great pride and lasting significance that we all gather here today to officially dedicate this school and honor an extraordinary man,” said Chris Ontiveros, son of the building’s namesake, during the groundbreaking ceremony. “To name a school after an individual places their values permanently into the foundation and education itself and ensures that every student walks through these doors is reminded every single day of the power of character, work ethic, integrity and service. These are the very same qualities that my father portrayed and acted every single day of his life.”

The district partnered with Legat Architects for the project’s design and Estes Construction for its construction. During renovations, the students and staff of Lincoln-Irving will move to Western Illinois University through the end of the 2026–27 academic year.

“This project is more than a building,” said Jeff Sandberg, Legat Architects CEO. “It represents opportunity, growth and a commitment to the next generation of the community. By bringing Lincoln-Irving and Willard together into one unified environment, we're creating a space designed to support collaboration, innovation and student success.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

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