Several construction-related contracts and actions were green-lit by the Indian Prairie District 204 School Board at this week’s meeting.
A major overhaul of many of the district’s facilities is underway as a result of a $420 million bond sale referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters last year. The continuation of an existing 37 cent property tax per $100 of equalized assessed value, which was to expire at the end of 2026, is providing the money needed to repay the bonds while keeping the tax rate flat.
One recently completed project was the nearly $1 million renovation of Neuqua Valley High School’s Foods Lab, which is used for classes in culinary arts, baking and knife skills, career development and restaurant management skills.
At Monday’s meeting, the school board OK’d an application for lab occupancy at the Naperville-based school once the work is completed, as required by the DuPage County Regional Office of Education.
Renovations included the construction of six teaching stations in the lab’s two classrooms, the purchase and installation of new cooking equipment, sinks and disposals, lighting, and ventilation and exhaust systems, and other room improvements.
The board also OK’d a contract for the purchase and installation of kitchen and serving equipment at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora. The purchase will be made through the U.S. General Services Administration cooperative purchasing program at a cost of just under $1.8 million, according to the district.
The renovation of Waubonsie’s cafeteria is slated to begin in the spring.
All three of the district’s high schools will have their main athletic fields replaced with synthetic turf at a cost of almost $3.2 million under a contract the board approved this week with co-op Omnia Partners.
Replacement work is slated to begin in the spring and should be done by the start of the 2026-27 school year, according to the district.
The board’s final action Monday was to authorize a renovation proposal from architecture firm Wight & Co. for renovations at Hill Middle School in Naperville. Planned improvements include the creation of a student commons area, expansion of science classrooms, and upgrades to accessibility, security and LED lighting.
Work at Hill will cost about $38 million, with $34 million of that being funded with money from the referendum, per the district’s website.
The $420 million in bonds are set to be issued through 2029 to fund projects to be done through 2032. Payments to repay the bonds will continue for 12 to 15 years after the projects are completed.
About half of the total referendum dollars are going to the work at two of the district’s three high schools: Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley.
Waubonsie is getting an auditorium overhaul and a redesigned main office, atrium and commons space, among other upgrades. A building additions at Neuqua will allow freshmen students — who for more than 20 years have attended the Birkett Freshman Center — to attend class in Neuqua’s main building.
mmorrow@chicagotribune.com
