Dist. 220 to reveal costs for possible projects next month
Cost projections are to be unveiled next month for potential building projects at Barrington Area Unit District 220.
It'll be another step in the process for Blueprint 220, the district's long-term strategy on school renovations to meet future education needs, in part through flexible spaces and better technology.
Jason Lembke of Chicago-based DLR Group, an architecture consultant on the Blueprint 220 planning team, said at a meeting Tuesday night that tentative costs should be ready for a Jan, 22 board committee session.
District 220 board President Brian Battle told Lembke that he hopes DLR Group can provide the projected expenses a few days before the meeting.
"We obviously want good information, right?" Battle said. "And you can understand our desire. We'd like to process this so we can come to the meeting and discussion and be prepared."
District 220 officials have been soliciting feedback and making presentations for Blueprint 220. At a Barrington High School gathering in October, visitors heard presentations on potential building needs for future-ready learning, physical activity and wellness, visual and performing arts, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics career pathways.
Possibilities of a yoga studio, comfortable classroom seating and a student art gallery at Barrington High were portrayed in a play for about 200 people who attended the late October presentation.
At Tuesday's District 220 board meeting, Lembke reviewed some resident ideas. Construction of ice rinks was received as a suggestion at smaller community meetings on Blueprint 220 at Barrington High and Barrington Middle School-Prairie Campus.
Food and nutrition upgrades and improving cafeteria environments were floated by residents for schools across the district, said Lembke.
"We've already taken the liberty of adding consideration for renovations ... because there was such strong sentiments at each one of the facilities," he said.
District 220 board members will decide what projects to pursue and how to pay for them.