Skip To Main Content

History of Capital Projects

Ninety-two percent of Illinois School Districts use bonds to pay for large capital improvements. However, since the district retired debt in 1981, it has dedicated operating funds to building maintenance and additions. These capital projects and maintenance include HVAC, roofing, asbestos abatement, NBJH gym floor & curtain, Westmoor gym floor, playground repaving, and life safety work with operating funds and reserves. Much like a used car,  the older the buildings are, the more expensive the repairs.

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

Below is the spending history of the major capital improvements over the last 15 years:

  • 2010-2011 $4.7 million: Northbrook Junior High new fine arts/fitness/media wing 
  • 2011-2012 $7.3 million: Greenbriar gym, front office and 3 classrooms (park district contributed via  intergovernmental agreement)
  • 2014-15 $10.6 million: Westmoor early childhood addition, building & office security renovations, parking lot/pickup/drop-off improvements, roof replacement
  • 2015-16 $399,344: Westmoor gym floor replacement & space remodels
  • 2016-17 $316,710: Greenbriar & Meadowbrook playground repaving
  • 2017-18 $339,667: Northbrook Junior High asbestos removal
  • 2018-19 $536,380: Northbrook Junior High generator & carpet replacement and life-safety improvements
  • 2019-20 $1,280,353: Meadowbrook carpet and classroom cabinetry replacement, and total interior repainting
  • 2020-21 $266,181: Meadowbrook HVAC and security upgrades
  • 2021-22 $726,090: Greenbriar and Northbrook Junior High roofing replacement and security system upgrades
  • 2022-23 $664,734: Greenbriar and Meadowbrook HVAC and NBJH elevator replacement
  • 2023-24 $715,000: Greenbriar roof replacement and HVAC, Greenbriar office remodel for efficiency and security, refinish gym floors at Greenbriar and NBJH; District Office remodel and update for efficiency.