Discovery of mold complicates Mount Prospect school renovation

Renovations at Westbrook School for Young Learners in Mount Prospect hit an unexpected bump in the road with the discovery of mold earlier this month on the building’s lower level.

The Mount Prospect Elementary School District 57 board will hold an emergency meeting Monday, when they’ll be asked to spend up to $163,370 to remedy the situation.

School officials said timing is critical, since the work can be finished before staff and students return for the first day of classes Aug. 18.

The mold was discovered while workers were preparing ceilings for sprinkler installation, Superintendent Mary Gorr said. The discovery was not surprising, considering the building dates back to 1961, she noted.

The work, which will allow the district to offer full-day kindergarten, is among the projects funded through an $85 million bond issue approved by voters in 2024.

The board will vote on three contracts: $14,500 with Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc. for remediating existing insulation; $34,000 with Colfax for insulation removal; and $114,870 with Parkside for reinsulating existing pipes.

The work is expected to take 10 days for remediation, eight days for removal and 20 days for reinsulation.

Although a project of this cost would normally require formal competitive bidding, school administrators cited the urgency of completing the project for proceeding without it

“We're working with the companies to make sure that everything is done perfectly,” Gorr said.