Rather than move forward with renovations of an auditorium and library and work on a capital improvement plan, Township High School District 113 school board members said Monday they want district staff to focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Board members voted against moving forward with design work on auditorium renovations at Deerfield High School and library renovations at Highland Park High School. The board also declined to further work on a capital improvement plan but left the option to revisit all three projects at a later date.
“We don’t need to be focused on this right now,” board member Dan Struck said. “It’s a waste of time and effort at this time.”
Design work for the auditorium and library is expected to cost $66,250 and working with consultants to map out a capital project plan would cost about $94,000, according to district officials. Officials explained that the auditorium was closed for a brief period earlier this year as safety improvements were made to the stage. If the auditorium were to be used before renovations could be completed, additional testing may be needed to ensure the stage’s safety.
However, Struck said he was concerned about the time spent by staff on these projects as the district continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on educational programs.
“Even talking about this right now is tone deaf,” he said.
Other board members agreed.
“It just doesn’t seem like the time to do this,” said board member Elizabeth Garlovsky.
Still, some board members supported moving ahead with the projects noting that district staff had brought them to the board and said they had the time to do the work.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelancer.
