At a "Committee of the Whole" meeting on December 11, D200 school board members reviewed and discussed a proposal from the Administration recommending next steps in the facilities process. The recommendation (LINK) suggests the Board APPROVE $32 Million for building improvements and classroom renovations (mostly identified in Sequence 1 in earlier documents) including:
● 76 general education classrooms
● Classrooms, kitchen, laundry, sensory room, and ADA-compliant restroom for the Special Ed TEAM program
● First phase of student commons (east first, second, and third floors)
● Main entrance
● All-gender restrooms
● Three science labs
● Huskie Pups daycare facilities
● ADA-compliant elevator in the north end of the building
The Administration suggested the Board consider spending $65+ Million for "urgent" needs to rebuild the swimming pool and locker rooms (Component D in the Imagine Facilities Plan) however their specific recommendation at this time is that $20 Million be shifted from Operating reserves into Capital reserves to provide a base for future facilities improvements. This is outlined in a memo (LINK) from Robert Grossi, the Financial Consultant to D200.
During discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting, the majority of Board members seemed to favor the more conservative approach of approving the $32 Million projects first and then taking some time to review the scope of work required in Component D to rebuild the East portion of the Field House including the east pool and locker rooms. This ARTICLE from the Chicago Tribune provides of good outline of that discussion.
ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20 at 7:30 PM, the D200 School Board will meet and could vote on the next steps, including the recommendation to proceed with the work totaling $32+ Million outlined above.
Pragmatic Solutions - OP-RF
