Dist. 303 board delays action on architect

Members of the St. Charles School Board postponed action on a contract with current architect Wight and Associates on Tuesday, pending further negotiations.

Board members gave Superintendent Donald Schlomann the go-ahead to address certain items of the currently proposed contract that were a cause for concern, including Wight and Associates' request to provide the district's life-safety services, as well as additions to existing buildings.

The district currently uses a St. Charles-based firm for these services, and many board members would prefer to see it continue.

"Charge me to go back and negotiate with Wight as best as we can, including removing the life-safety issues," suggested Schlomann, adding if they are unsuccessful, to begin taking proposals from other architectural firms.

Time is of the essence, however, in contracting a firm to be part of the upcoming public engagement meetings with community members, scheduled to begin in November. Members of the community will be invited to provide input to the school board on the future direction of the district.

"We do need to have this architect work with us in the public engagement process," explained Schlomann.

In addition to the life-safety issues, future fees also are a matter for discussion, since the district already has spent a great deal of money with Wight and Associates since they were hired two years ago.

"You paid a substantial fee for a building that didn't get built," said Schlomann, describing the designs for an elementary/middle school building that was planned at the intersection of Corron and Silver Glenn Roads, if the failed referendum in 2006 had passed.

Schlomann was quick to point out that just because the school board is talking about future new school buildings does not mean the district has immediate plans to build them.

"Having this discussion does not mean were going to referendum," he said.

The first public engagement meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 18. Call the St. Charles School District at (630)513-3030 for further details.