Board Told Woodshop Dust Collection Replacement Will Go to Bid; Work Tied to Health-Life-Safety Funds

The Unit District 196 Board of Education received an update on Sept. 23 on a planned replacement of the high school woodshop dust collection system and was told the project will be advertised for bid and returned for approval at the Oct. 4 board meeting.

Architect Ryan Don said the replacement is a full dust-collection system and installation — not just an equipment purchase. Don said the scope grew after staff reviewed fire-code and safety requirements: "As we dove a little further into that, the project scope grew a bit because we really needed to address things the right way... the project is set to go out to bid. There's an advertisement just for your reference. It's gonna be in the Southern Illinois [newspaper] this Saturday," he said.

Don said the district processed a health-life-safety amendment that makes funds available for the work. He said the project is planned for completion by Jan. 5, 2026, so the system will be in place before students return after winter break. Board members confirmed the replacement includes the full collection system and associated installation and fire-code work.

The board did not take a contract award at the meeting; staff said bids will be solicited and a recommended award will return to the board at a subsequent meeting.