Summer will bring construction to Glenbard schools

The addition of air conditioning at Glenbard East tops a list of construction projects scheduled for this year at all four facilities in Glenbard High School District 87.

The projects will range from replacing doors to updating mechanical systems to asbestos abatement, Assistant Superintendent Chris McClain said.

The work will be funded with money from the district's operating budget and from a $35 million referendum proposal voters approved last year, he said.

The school board last year approved a contract not to exceed $25.6 million with Performance Services Inc. for work on mechanical systems throughout the district.

McClain said much of that work — including the installation of air conditioning at East — is expected to be completed this summer.

“I think everybody's really excited about it,” McClain said. “Our attendance rates at summer school continue to be much higher every year, so you want to make sure that staff and students are comfortable. Then there are certain times throughout the year that it can get very warm in our buildings.”

The district also plans to install air conditioning in Glenbard West's Biester gym, McClain said.

Spokeswoman Peg Mannion said the board will vote to approve the 2015-2016 scope of work to be completed by Performance Services at its March 24 meeting.

The district also is planning more general renovations under a separate contract, with work targeted not to exceed $2.3 million.

At Glenbard North, some of the repairs will include replacing asphalt paving and curbs at the west parking lot, renovating student bathrooms, providing a new LED message sign on campus and installing vinyl flooring in the school's dance studio.

The district plans to replace some floors and doors and do some asbestos abatement at Glenbard South and to make improvements to the auditorium stage at East. The district also will embark on a $250,000 asbestos abatement project at East.

Finally, McClain said officials plan to start work on a classroom addition to West this summer, which will provide eight more science labs.