Barrington District 220's $2.6 million summer project list includes new playground
Barrington Area Unit District 220 is expected to spend about $2.6 million this summer on building projects across the system, with the list including construction of a playground, new roofing and parking lot repaving.
Superintendent Brian Harris said bids for the capital projects came in under budget. The district typically sets aside about $3 million annually for the summer work.
David Bein, the district's assistant superintendent of business services, said the $2.6 million list of projects was formed with input from employees who handle custodial, maintenance and grounds duties. Some work could start before summer.
"We will begin to evaluate, while the schools are closed for students right now," Bein said before the school board approved the work last week. "There may be a couple small things that we might be able to get done over the next several weeks. There's a couple very small projects that would be finished with our maintenance team that we might look at being able to do."
While construction costs for a new playground at Arnett C. Lines Elementary School in Barrington are pegged at $443,592, private donations will reduce the expense, officials say. The Lines Elementary Parent Teacher Organization raised $142,987 that will be donated toward the playground.
Other summer work on the list includes:
• Roofing repairs for a combined $575,639 at Roslyn Road Elementary School in Barrington, Countryside Elementary School in Barrington and Lines Elementary.
• Parking lot paving for a combined $638,575 at buildings across District 220.
• New gymnasium flooring for $77,207 at North Barrington Elementary School.
• Electrical panel and conduit repairs for $38,720 at Barrington Middle School-Station Campus that became necessary after damage from a water leak.
Harris said there do not appear to be problems with the building trades working as expected on school projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"If some of their employees get sick in the next several weeks that may change things, but right now, they are considered an essential service and are working full steam," Harris said.