Work on high schools planned
The athletic facilities at Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools could benefit significantly from a proposed five-year improvement plan.
At Libertyville High, bleacher repairs at the football stadium, repairs to the main gym's bleachers and new athletic garages are among the sports-related improvements included in the current version of the proposal.
At sister school Vernon Hills High, improvements to the varsity baseball field, a new surface for the running track and improvements to the baseball and softball practice fields are included in the plan.
Plenty of non-athletic improvements at both schools are included in the proposal, too, such as a new stage floor at Vernon Hills' studio theater and parking lot repairs at Libertyville.
In all, the projects being considered could cost $10.5 million over the next five years, documents indicate. But not all of the projects may make the final cut, said Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 Assistant Superintendent Yasmine Dada said.
A funding source for the capital plan hasn't been determined, either, Dada said.
School board members will review the projects in committee talks in September and October, Dada said. The board could vote on the plan later this year.
The school board last approved a five-year facilities plan in 2004.
A second gym for Libertyville High, roof repairs at Libertyville and the construction of a maintenance storage building at Vernon Hills were among the projects included in that $5.6 million plan.
A proposal to add fire sprinklers at Libertyville High was cut from the plan, but a scaled-back installation later was approved after an extended public backlash.
The new proposal divides the projects by school and gives special attention to projects deemed essential to the schools' infrastructure or safety.
All of the projects being considered at Libertyville High could cost more than $3.6 million, according to the plan.
The total for Vernon Hills High could exceed $6.8 million, documents indicate.