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BTT Overview

A Community-Based Facilitating Team convened in September to help district leaders design community engagement and bring findings to the Board of Education for next steps in addressing facilities needs. This is an overview of the facilities needs and community engagement outcomes.

District 28 has funded capital projects and maintenance including HVAC, roofing, asbestos abatement, NBJH gym floor & curtain, Westmoor gym floor, playground repaving, and life safety work. The district has no debt, and funded all capital needs with operating funds and reserves. Much like a used car,  the older the buildings are, the more expensive the repairs. There are A/C units on all of the buildings that have obsolete refrigerants and can no longer be serviced. Boilers are nearing the end of their useful lives and roofing needs to be replaced. There is original galvanized pipe plumbing in all the buildings, which leaks and often require repairs on an emergency basis. The school bathrooms are not ADA compliant and are running out of room. 

That’s why the district hired a firm to conduct a Facilities Master Plan to identify needs for the next 10 years.

The plan recommended $80 million of potential building improvements for the four buildings in the areas of accessibility, life safety, security, maintenance, and capital improvements.

The district can't generate enough funds from the existing sources to meet facilities needs. Here's a breakdown:

  • $79.7 million recommendation
  • -$19.7 million from district operating funds
  • -$3.6 million removed from plan to be completed internally
  • $56.4 million total unfunded projects
schools buildings photos showing they opened between 1949 and 1965

 

Take A Virtual Tour

The community was invited to tour our schools in November. 

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Funding Sources

District 28 is limited to using operating funds and reserve funds to pay for building improvements.

92% of Illinois School Districts use bonds to pay for large capital improvements. Until now, District 28 has been able to fund maintenance and capital projects with its reserves, or savings accounts.

The district needs voter approval to issue bonds – take out a loan – to pay for the unfunded building improvements identified in the facilities master plan.

funding sources

Renovation vs. Replacement

Given the high cost of renovations and repairs, we asked the architects to compare renovation to replacement costs for Meadowbrook. For comparison purposes, the renovation costs include added square footage to make a renovated school of comparable size to a new school that would include future needs and enhancements to learning environments. 

  • Renovation = $35 million
  • Replacement = $55 million
  • Renovation = 64% of new construction

Following input from the Community Engagement Workshop, the Facilitating Team identified an option to Renovate/Replace that was tested in a community survey. 

Renovate & Replace

  • $94.9M Bond Funds
  • + $20M in Funding from District Operating budget
  • =$115 Million
  • Timeline to Completion: 3-5 Years
    • Builds new Meadowbrook Elementary
    • Fully fund renovations and updates recommended in Facilities Master Plan for other schools.
    • Starts long-range replacement cycle of our schools

Updates/Renovations

Meadowbrook School
Replacement = $56 million

Replace existing school with updated facilities and provide space for future needs and enhancements to the learning environment. If funding is approved, the next step would include community and staff input on school design. 

Northbrook Junior High
Opened in 1959
Major Proposed Projects = $20.6 million

  • Improve entrance security 
  • Update fire alarm system & sprinkler system
  • Renovate existing bathrooms and create ADA-compliant facilities
  • Improve efficiency of drop-off & pick-up traffic on entry drive
  • Add a new cafeteria & kitchen and renovate existing space for new uses
  • Renovate lobby area to increase student use throughout the day

Greenbriar School
Opened in 1949
Major Proposed Projects = $20.3 million

  • Improve entrance security
  • Update fire alarm, sprinkler and P.A. systems
  • Renovate existing washrooms throughout the building for ADA compliance 
  • Add washrooms to the lower level
  • Add classroom/bathroom space by reconfiguring the multipurpose room/cafeteria and adjacent  courtyard
  • Update  playgrounds and improve accessibility
  • Remodel auditorium to flexible use space and update the stage
  • Replace deteriorating classroom cabinetry
  • Add parking north and east of the building
  • Remodel corridors to update lockers, carpet and create break-out learning spaces

Westmoor School
Opened in 1966
Major Proposed Projects=$13.7 million

  • Improve entrance security 
  • Update fire alarm, sprinkler, and P.A. systems
  • Renovate existing washrooms throughout the building for ADA compliance 
  • Add classrooms and new ADA-compliant washrooms
  • Replace old playground equipment and improve accessibility
  • Replace deteriorating cabinetry in classrooms

Owner Costs &Contingencies = $4 million

Total cost = $115 million

Funding sources

$94.9 million Bond Issue

If approved by referendum, the bond issue would cost the owner of a home valued at $500,000 an estimated $685 per year, or $57 per month.

$20 million District Operating Funds 

Existing funding sources would provide expenditures out of operating funds.

Total cost = $115 million