The building blocks of a good education

In the late 1980s, Jim Nies initiated the Building Trades program at Batavia High School. He put together an advisory committee that included Mack Olson, Phil Richardson, Howie Gustafson and Principal David Booth.

"I moved over from the junior high to run the first class," said former building trades instructor, Page McCloud.

During those early days, the goals of the program were simple projects.

"We built decks, family rooms, garages and play sets," said McCloud. "We taught basic construction."

Operating through the Fox Valley Career Center, the program soon included students from Burlington and Geneva. As the interest grew, the program took on a new dimension and came back to the high school as a series of classes in construction.

Page McCloud's class took on the task of building the first home in 1992. Over the years the classes have built a home each year. A few years ago, McCloud worked with the middle school teacher, Tony Mulay, to have an introduction to the building trades begin at that level.

After Page McCloud retired, Tony Mulay took over the helm at the high school. He is a teacher with extensive building experience.

"About two-thirds of the students who are in building trades are very serious about construction," said Mulay. "Half that group will go onto college and study construction management or at least work construction in the summer. The other students pursue a career in construction or one of the other area of the trades right after graduation."

Two students in this year's class, Mike Baglieri and Steve Jurgens, have already started doing a business doing small construction projects over the summer.

"We can do just about anything, except for electrical and plumbing," said Baglieri.

The students learn about all aspects of construction from framing the house to finished carpentry.

"We learn to do it right," said Dan Bach. "If we're off by a quarter of an inch, Mr. Mulay will have us do it over."

"Quarter of an inch? " responded the instructor, with a grin. "I'll have you do it if you are off an eighth of an inch."

The homes are solidly built. Even the city inspectors have commented on the workmanship of the students.

"Sometimes professionals take shortcuts because of time and money," added Mulay. "We want the kids to learn how to it right, even if that means redoing it."

Joe Elsman plans to be an auto mechanic after graduation but he feels that as a career choice, building trades is a close second. He also knows that what he has learned in the class is valuable knowledge for the future.

"I have learned so much," he said. "I loved learning how a house is put together. This class is too practical a class not to take."

In the past, the students have built a custom home over the course of a year. With the economy in such a poor state, the next home on Lathem in Batavia is being built over a two-year period.

"With the extra time, we'll be able to do some of the jobs that we have subcontracted out before, such as putting in the hardwood floor," Mulay said.

There are currently two homes on the market that have been built by the building trades class. There is a large two-story traditional located just off Nelson Lake Road at 472 Bennett Drive in North Aurora. The home has a spacious open floor plan with four large bedrooms and three full baths. The kitchen features maple cabinetry and granite countertops. A custom fireplace is the focal point of the large open living room.

The most recent project home is located at 807 Bernadette Lane in Batavia. The home is a Craftsman-style with unique features such as a three-car garage with a separate garage door on the back wall for easy access to the back yard. The home features a first-floor master suite and an open kitchen with top-of-the-line Thomasville hickory cabinets.

"I was at Home Depot and just happened to run into the Thomasville rep who gave us a really good price on the cabinets," said Mulay. "Pella also gave us the windows at a good price. The home has a warm welcoming feel with built-in cabinets on the stair landing and in the mud room.

A well thought-out feature is the laundry on the second floor that opens to the walk-in closet, making it easier to put clothes away.

The department subcontracts some jobs to professionals, such as the plumbing, electrical, drywall and painting. The students can watch and see what is involved in doing those projects.

"There are so many students who go into the trades and stay in the community," said Mulay.

"We used one of them, Ben Conro (of Conro Heating and Air) on this house."

Both of these homes are available for purchase. The school district is putting the homes up for bid in March.

According to Kimberly Anderson, Director of Finance for the district, the deadline to submit sealed bids is 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 4 at 335 W. Wilson Street. The successful bidder is required to submit a 10 percent down payment in cash, cashier's check or certified check within 48 hours of bid acceptance. All bids must be signed and notarized on the bid form. Bids must be sealed and marked "BID" on the envelope. More details are in the bid packets.

The bid packet for both homes is available at the central office or on the Web site, BPS101.net. They are located on the right side of the home web page - titled "Bennett House" and "Bernadette House".

For information, contact Kimberly Anderson at (630) 937-8833. Showings of the homes can be scheduled at that number as well.