When Lincoln-Irving Elementary School students return next week after spring break they will do so at the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities riverfront campus in Moline.
The Moline-Coal Valley School District is temporarily relocating the young students beginning Tuesday, April 7, while their school undergoes a major expansion and renovation. The $33 million project will result in the new Robert Ontiveros Elementary School, named for the late Group O founder and community leader. Once complete, the school will combine Lincoln-Irving with nearby Willard Elementary School.
“This move is more than just a change of location; it reflects a shared partnership with students, families and the future of education in the Quad Cities,” Audrey Adamson, WIU executive director of Quad Cities Operations, said in a news release Tuesday, April 1. “We look forward to welcoming students from Lincoln-Irving to our Riverfront campus.”
About 340 students and 55 staff members will move into WIU Q-C’s Buildings A and B, where they will finish out this school year and remain for the full 2026–2027 school year. Their newly renovated elementary is slated to be ready for the start of the 2027-2028 school year.
In a joint news release, the two schools said by relocating now it gives students, staff and families time to adjust before the fall school year. The early move also allows teachers and administrators to establish routines and classroom structures as well as finalize logistics for transportation (including with MetroLINK), campus operations, recess areas, lunch schedules, parent drop-off and pick-up procedures, and visitor check-in processes.
Buildings A and B at WIU-QC are already set up for classroom use and considered move-in ready. The school district will provide traditional classroom furniture.
The students and staff’s arrival comes almost four months after another WIU Board of Trustees gave the university approval to put another campus facility — Building C — on the market. At its Dec. 10 board meeting, the board approved a resolution allowing for a possible sale of the Quad Cities Complex Building C. Located on the south side of the River Drive campus, the building went up in 2014 as part of the campus’ second phase. But budget woes, declining enrollment and other changes in higher education pushed WIU to consolidate its own on-campus programs into Riverfront Hall.
New school groundbreaking
Next week’s move-in comes less than two weeks after more than 100 community, school and business leaders gathered with the students for a ground-breaking ceremony at the existing Lincoln-Irving, located at 1015 16th Ave. The event kicked off construction of the 61,000-square-foot addition and a 32,000-square-foot renovation.
When the school re-opens it is expected to house 600 of the school district’s youngest students.
The project construction team includes: construction manager Estes Construction, Davenport; Legat Architects, Moline; structural partner IMEG, Rock Island; fire protection RTM Engineering, Davenport; and civil work from Martin & Whitacre Surveyors & Engineers of Muscatine, Iowa.
While at WIU-QC, elementary students will have access to classrooms, eating spaces, art and music rooms, physical education areas, library space, staff meeting rooms and indoor recess areas. Minor enhancements – such as fencing for an outdoor play area – will further adapt the college campus for the elementary students’ needs, the release said.
School leaders said the WIU-QC site will offer full K–5 instruction and its regular educational programming will continue without disruption.
“This is an incredible example of local organizations coming together to serve children and families,” Moline-Coal Valley Superintendent Rachel Savage said. “By partnering with Western Illinois University, we are keeping resources in our community, protecting tax dollars and ensuring students have the learning environment they deserve during this important transition.”
Under a lease agreement approved last September, the Moline Coal Valley School District will pay a monthly lease of $20,000 for the 15-months period.
Community partners
By relocating now rather than next fall, leaders said it gives the construction team a two-month headstart on the future combined Lincoln-Irving/Willard school and increases the likelihood the project will be delivered on schedule in August 2027.
“WIU values our long-standing partnership with the Moline School District. As a former Lincoln Irving student, I am especially excited to welcome students and educators to the WIU-Quad Cities campus,” WIU President Kristi Mindrup said in the release. “We look forward to collaborative opportunities through our shared proximity.”
Superintendent Savage also highlighted the importance of community partners, including MetroLINK, whose support and transportation coordination make the relocation possible.
Looking ahead, the district said the transition marks an important step toward a historic milestone of consolidating Lincoln-Irving and Willard schools. The newly renovated Robert Ontiveros Elementary School also will become the Home of the Owls – a move honoring Willard’s 127-year legacy. Plans have not been announced for the future use of Willard.
