Dist. 220 OKs learning center

Barrington Unit District 220 board members voted 5-2 Tuesday to build a new early learning center after a rigorous debate on how the project might affect the district's long-term finances.

The discussion came even after two pieces of good news regarding the center's cost.

Not only was the project bid $291,591 under budget, but more than $1.2 million of its construction cost can be paid for out of the $2.1 million of federal stimulus money the district will receive.

The early learning center will house a federally mandated program for at-risk 3- to 5-year-olds at a new 37,000-square-foot addition to Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus. Upon completion of the building in the summer of 2010, the existing program will move from the much less centrally located Woodland Early Learning Center in Carpentersville.

Another problem with the Carpentersville facility is that it was originally a school built for much older children and a challenge to make work for preschoolers - especially ones with special needs - Principal Barb Romano said.

But while all seven board members believe the district needs the new facility, President Brian Battle and board member Jeff Church expressed doubt that now is the right time.

Battle pointed out that the crash of the economy last fall has left the district with $50 million less in its five-year revenue forecast than when the center was first included in its capital improvement plan.

He added that approving the $11.7 million project could reduce the district's financial flexibility in a very uncertain time, leaving it unable to meet other unforeseen demands.

"By doing this project now, in my opinion, we're putting the long-term financial health of this district at risk," Battle said.

Church added that unfortunate measures like teacher layoffs or deferred maintenance could be forced on the district in the future.

Board member Cara Richardson, who serves on the facilities committee, took her two colleagues to task for suggesting such extreme solutions and that her committee overlooked any consequences of its recommendation to build.

Barrington-based Pepper Construction won the contract to begin work on June 23.