Libertyville High School flood repairs approved
Eight months after a subbasement at Libertyville High School flooded during heavy rains, the District 128 board has approved a $650,000 repair plan.
The Stuckey Construction Co. of Waukegan will perform the work during the upcoming winter break.
Cracks in a retaining wall will be repaired, the floor in the subbasement will be replaced and a drain that allowed water to pour into the school will be filled with cement and rendered unusable, District 128 business office consultant Jess Porres said Monday.
Additionally, new drain tile and ejector pumps will be added to prevent future flooding.
The flooding began early April 18 and filled a storage room beneath the arts wing within several hours. Maintenance equipment, reams of paper and various school supplies were damaged.
“That was a big mess,” said District 128 board member Jim Batson, who leads the panel’s facilities and finance committee.
In the same storm, Butler Lake overflowed its banks and covered a large portion of the north parking lot behind the school.
The water led officials to cancel classes for two days.
The board unanimously approved the contract with Stuckey Construction.
As the project was being developed, a district consultant had estimated the repairs would cost $490,000, Porres said during a facilities committee meeting before the board’s discussion and vote.
Porres suggested waiting until an elevator leading to the subbasement is fixed next summer to do the work, but the board opted to move ahead this month.