Peoria Central High School administrators say the school will need more classrooms, parking and security to accommodate hundreds of displaced Woodruff High School students.

Since District 150 made the decision to close Woodruff High School in September, many have speculated how it would impact the district.

"I don't think we have received a negative response, but certainly a lot of people have contracted us curious about where they would be going," said Jeanne Williamson, a member of the district's high school transition team.

Some questions were answered at Monday's school board meeting.

The appointed transition team, including the hired architects, laid out the plans for the first phase of renovations at the 100-year-old school to accommodate hundreds of additional Woodruff High students.

"Enrollment will basically double, we are looking at 1,500 kids, possibly 650 coming from Woodruff," said Randy Simmons, Peoria High Principal.

But it won't come cheap. Phase one, of two, carries a potential price tag of $3.6 million.

Renovation high lights include: $1 million to update parking lots and add 151 spaces, $1.6 million to renovate classrooms, dividing some in half to create 18 more and $825,000 in security enhancements including cameras and a new entrance.

Simmons says safety has been a big concern with the consolidation.

"We are going to keep our kids safe, we looked at how the kids and visitors enter and exit the building," he said. "Safety is something we have looked at very intensely."

The school board could vote on phase one construction at its next meeting so the bids can go out to contractors in April. The district says construction will be completed by the time school opens in August.

Depending on the cost of phase one, Peoria High will see a second phase of an additional $3 million to $6 million in improvements, covering the restroom renovations, new windows and heating and cooling.

Funding for the project is to be paid out of $28.5 million in bonds issued by the Public Building Commission of Peoria.