District 25 renovations set for summer, despite supply chain uncertainties

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 will embark on some $3.7 million worth of building projects at its schools this summer, despite some uncertainties in being able to secure materials due to the coronavirus.

District officials acknowledged the effects of COVID-19 on labor and the supply chain are still unknown, but believe they will be in a good position to complete annual capital work at schools during the summer months.

"We just don't know yet with supply chain. That's the only thing that would worry me a little bit," Ryan Schulz, the district's director of facilities management, told school board members Thursday night. "The only thing that I would personally be concerned about would be maybe the light fixtures, just because they are a little bit longer lead items and typically they are made overseas. Everything else I think is going to be OK."

The school board approved a series of bids for the summer renovations through its construction manager, Mount Prospect-based Nicholas & Associates. Schulz said the firm is at risk for scheduling, manpower and any delays, taking liability off the school district.

Most of the renovations will be centered at Patton Elementary, which is set to get new LED lights throughout the school, replacement of two boilers, new ceiling tiles and sprinkler heads, updates to bathroom finishes, replacement of galvanized pipes, and addition of a staff wellness room for nursing mothers and to administer medication. Patton's gym will also become air-conditioned, leaving Greenbrier and Westgate elementary schools and South Middle School as the remaining district buildings to be cooled in future years, Schulz said.

Elsewhere in the district, work crews will replace galvanized pipes at Dryden Elementary and upgrade stairwell handrails at South and Thomas middle schools.

And six of the district's nine schools will have flooring replaced, from new classroom carpeting to tiles in hallways.