District reports completed Central High restrooms, pool renovation approved and capital projects posted for public review

School City of East Chicago officials on Sept. 9 reported a series of facilities and capital actions: the restrooms at Central High School are complete, the board approved renovation work on Central’s pool, and the district will post capital project and bus replacement notices later this month.

Ms. Simmons, executive director of business operations, told the board that Central High restrooms were finished on time for the start of school and that district partners executed the work despite hot summer conditions. “The restrooms at Central High School is completed. I have heard nothing but raves about it,” Ms. Simmons said.

Separately, agenda item 6.03 sought approval for renovation of Central’s pool. Trustee Smith moved to approve the pool renovation; Trustee Gomez seconded and the board unanimously approved the item.

Ms. Simmons also said the district is preparing public postings for the capital project list and the bus replacement notice. The capital project posting and bus replacement will be posted on the district website on Sept. 25, and the superintendent requested the full budget be posted for community review ahead of the public budget meeting.

District staff noted that some capital work, including restroom and other building renovations, follows separate bid procedures and scoring; Ms. Simmons explained that capital project bids are typically scored by points while some single‑supplier bids (for example a pool roof) may be evaluated on the bottom line if only one or two bids were received. Trustees asked questions about whether union status is considered in bid scoring; Ms. Simmons said bid openings record the bid amounts and that the district does not award automatic preference points for union status.

Why it matters: Completion of Central High restrooms and approval of pool renovations affect building safety and student programs. Public posting of capital projects and bus replacement allows community review of upcoming expenditures.