Schools

D122 Considers $3.4M in Facility Projects

Last week, facilities director Bob Nelson gave the board a list of 102 building projects with an estimated cost of more than $30 million. He marked 16 priority projects that would cost about $3.4 million.

The is considering $3.4 million in building improvements this year, but first the Board of Education must determine whether it feels comfortable spending that amount.

Administrators want the board to decide soon, though, because ordering materials and bidding projects in time for the summer construction period means time is of the essence.

"The longer we delay, the harder it is to get things done in time," business manager Harold Huang said during a District 122 meeting Wednesday.

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Last week, facilities director Bob Nelson gave the board a list of 102 building projects with an estimated cost of more than $30 million. He marked 16 priority projects that would cost about $3.4 million.

See the PDF attached to this article for the full list.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The board briefly discussed the facility plans Wednesday after reviewing them more in depth during another meeting last week. A special meeting will likely be scheduled sometime in early February.

According to previous coverage, , perhaps coming from the district's $20 million in reserves. Supt. Mike Sass said last week that the school district could probably reduce that amount to $12.5 million in savings and still maintain a strong credit rating because it would have a quarter of its operating budget saved.

The projects Nelson marked most important involve replacing galvanized piping and domestic hot water piping at Bentley-Tyler and Haines-Oakview campuses.

Previously, the board toward designing plans and getting sites ready to bid. That way, when money becomes available for the actual construction, the projects will be ready to begin.

At the strategic plan meeting, board member Sue Smith questioned whether the galvanized pipes were truly past their life expectancy or if it would be more cost efficient to repair the pipes for a minimal annual cost.

"I feel like we’re micromanaging this," member Deb Kedzior said in response. "I am no plumber. We have all this advice, all this data. I’m no plumber but I’m a mother and I wouldn’t want my child in that classroom (if the pipes could burst)."

Other members said it's their job to know the best option for students and taxpayers.

"We have a responsibility to the taxpayers and that’s why we have to ask you these questions," member Maureen Broderick said.


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