Grayslake Elementary District 46 approves design plan for air conditioning
Grayslake Elementary District 46 will seek a design for air conditioning systems on the chance elected officials decide to chill two schools.
District 46 board members have been mulling the idea of installing air conditioning at Woodview and Meadowview schools in Grayslake that serve students in kindergarten through fourth grade. District 46's five other buildings have air conditioning.
At a meeting Wednesday night, the District 46 board agreed to spend about $53,300 for the design work for the proposed air conditioning projects. However, board member Susan Facklam stressed the design phase is only to get a better handle on what the air conditioning ultimately would cost.
"I just feel like we need to reiterate the fact we have had further discussion (on air conditioning)," Facklam said. "We have looked at the district's facility plan and this is in no way a guarantee we will move forward with air conditioning or when."
Chief School Business Official Chris Bobek said bids for the design work are expected to be sought around spring break.
Early estimates have shown central air at Woodview and Meadowview schools could cost up to $1.6 million. Bobek said other capital improvement needs at District 46 schools include redoing four parking lots at a cost of $2.5 million to $3.5 million.
Lack of air conditioning became a particular concern in 2013, when temperatures were in the 90s early in the school year, leading officials to cancel classes for one day at Woodview and Meadowview, and send students home early on three other days.
Board members last month approved a resolution committing $100,000 to the operations and maintenance fund for air conditioning installation at Meadowview and Woodland.