The Examiner U-46 News Feed

Capital projects report presented to U-46 board

By Seth Hancock
  Over $40 million has been spent on completed or in-progress capital projects during 2021 in School District U-46.
  Sheila Downs, director of plant operations, presented the projects to the Board of Education last month.
  “U-46 made an investment of over $40 million in the infrastructure,” Downs said. “Those projects include an array of everything from window replacement projects to parking lots to roofing, playgrounds. There were several projects that took place this year.”
  Included was work at a new welcome center which houses transportation, registration, district record, Project Access and Early Education Station.
  Flooring projects, like carpeting, were done at eight sites and stripping and waxing district wide, and roof replacements at two sites.
  All five high schools had auditorium projects including curtain replacements, laser projector and lens, wireless intercom purchases, painting, seating, carpet replacement and sound board replacement projects. For athletics, South Elgin had a tennis court reconstruction and light replacement, and Elgin’s Memorial Field has mechanical systems upgrade and stadium upgrades.
  Playground projects were done or scheduled for nine sites, mechanical upgrades at seven sites, parking lot repaving at four sites and exterior upgrades at six sites.
  Canton and Larsen middle schools had gymnasium projects and Lowrie Elementary School a library relocation and renovation. Other projects, like countertop replacements, were done at all middle schools and five additional sites.
  Downs said that the district had $639,755 in savings additionally which included $460,206 through incentives and rebates. It also included $179,549 through a “robust energy efficiency program” through CLEAResult and Cenergistic which offers an “incentive program” for finding “ways to conserve energy.”
  Also, 14 schools received Energy Star certification for energy efficiency, Downs said.
  Downs said that the district has an internal energy program in which it awards schools for “behavior modifications.” Five schools received awards including a custom bench, tree planting, outdoor trash receptacle, salt spreader and rotary drill set, playground fencing, nurse’s office conversion, technology for building automation and tools.