School District 220 board members will evaluate four options to repair and rebuild the elementary and middle schools at an estimated cost of $47 million to $55 million.
Late in December, the board hired architect Wayne Machnich to provide estimates for renovation plans submitted to the board by the 24-member building needs committee.
The committee’s 45-page report called for sweeping changes in existing District 220 facilities, including rebuilding Barrington High School, adding auditoriums at both middle schools, wiring all schools for multimedia presentations, and increasing classroom size to a uniform 1,000 square feet. It also called for the construction of an elementary school.
The options presented at Thursday’s board meeting adjusted plans that included reducing proposed support services, eliminating the proposed addition of auditoriums and expanded classrooms at both middle schools and several elementary schools, and deleting proposed community/science rooms. “We need to set a budget first, and then decide what fits that budget,” said board member Michael Berkowitz.
Figures for proposed renovation and reconstruction of the elementary and middle schools are in addition to the $51 million estimated for renovation and reconstruction of Barrington High School.
The board faces a Jan. 27 deadline to file a tax proposition for the April 4 ballot.
