District 89 unveils $24.8 million in upgrades

After three years of planning and construction, Glen Ellyn District 89 has completed a $24.8 million project to modernize its school facilities.

Now, officials want the public to come out to take a look.

Officials will conduct tours during each of their school's curriculum nights throughout the next two weeks. Other tour times are available by contacting the district.

Superintendent John Perdue said the work addressed virtually every form of infrastructure at the schools, including technology and utilities.

"It provides an equal-learning environment for all of our students now and in the future," he said.

Each of the district's five schools was upgraded with modern heating and air conditioning units. The work was paid for through a referendum proposal passed in early 2008.

Before construction, only Briar Glen Elementary School and parts of other buildings had such units. Much of Briar Glen's modernization was done following a fire in July 2008.

But even that school got some benefits from the project, including a new intercom system.

"It provides an excellent tool for communication and safety," Principal Emily Tammaru said. "The integration of technology into student learning has been really nice."

Other work includes parking lot and roofing repairs as well as security improvements.

Although the work briefly delayed the start of the school year, Perdue said the long-term gains will be worth it.

"The new technological infrastructure and new wiring steps us up into the 21st century," he said.