Officials in Glenbrook High School District 225 will soon consider how to spend a $10 million bond issue that represents the final funds approved by referendum in 2006.
One potential project, an overhaul of the four 50-year-old boilers at Glenbrook North High School, received support from board of education members at a meeting this week. The board members gave staff the signal to spend $12,000 to study the condition of the devices.
Depending on the condition of the boilers, upgrading or replacing them could cost $80,000 to $1.7 million, according to a district memo.
“You see few things built as well as these are built,” said Superintendent Michael Riggle, who added that the boilers are original to the 1950s school.
The boiler work is potentially the most expensive project on a list of candidates for the bond money. The seven-page list includes other potential projects such as a $475,000 field house floor replacement at Glenbrook North renovation and a $450,000 carpeting initiative at Glenbrook South.
Excluding the boiler upgrades, the potential projects range from $10,000 to $495,000.
The Build America Bonds that were issued must be spent within three years, and the final projects are projected for the summer of 2013. The school district could open bidding for the most immediate projects in January or February 2011, said Kimberly Ptak, director of operations and purchasing.
The district’s facilities committee could review the list as soon as Sept. 21, Ptak said.
“What we’re trying to do is be very thorough before we move forward,” Riggle said.
The $10 million bond issue is reseved for life safety and infrastructure items.
