District staff updated the Park Ridge CCSD 64 Board of Education on construction and abatement activity at multiple schools and described next steps if summer work finishes under budget.

The update covered recent unexpected abatement discoveries in older buildings, a plan to accelerate abatement work during winter break at Franklin and Carpenter to reduce risk of later delays, possible temporary classroom conditions while work is completed, a nationwide locker supply shortage that may affect deliveries, and a pending Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) approval that would allow site work at Lincoln to begin.

The report matters because abatement work requires containment that can close entire floors for extended periods and can influence project schedules, student space arrangements and final costs. Board members heard options for using any remaining bond proceeds, including selling a smaller bond or keeping borrowing plans and reallocating surplus to deferred or future projects.

A staff member summarized abatement realities, saying that even small contaminated sections "have to be completely shut down for a long time," and that in some instances crews found small, previously unmarked pockets of material behind casework that required broader containment. The staff member said the district has used a mix of approaches: in some spaces the contractor completed full abatements and closures, and in other areas crews staged work so classrooms could reopen while remaining issues were labeled for future work.

Board members were told the district plans to change its abatement approach at Franklin and Carpenter to begin some abatement earlier during winter break. That change could leave some rooms with bare cement floors after the break until finishes are reinstalled, a staff member said, and the district intends to provide temporary coverings such as carpeting for safety and comfort.

District staff also warned of a nationwide delay in locker manufacturing and delivery. The district held lockers in place at Lincoln longer than originally planned to avoid opening finished areas only to discover additional abatement work. Staff said they have a heads-up about the locker delay so the district can plan temporary alternatives if needed at the start of school.

Several projects are progressing on schedule, staff said. Roof work, playground demolition and new roofing at Field were described as on track to be completed before school begins. Emerson's science lab rough-in of piping, gas and electrical was reported largely finished "over the head," with finish work following quickly. The district said much of the summer construction has been completed under budget so far, giving the board flexibility for future decisions.

On financing, staff outlined two primary options if summer construction finishes under budget: sell a smaller bond when the district finalizes its next issuance, or issue the planned bond and reallocate some proceeds toward projects deferred in the referendum. Staff said a clearer accounting of final summer bills in September will guide a recommendation to the board.

A staff member noted that the biggest scheduling question mark is MWRD approval for site work at Lincoln. If the approval arrives in July or August, crews could put shovels in the ground before the school year. "If we get it before the start of school, we're still in good shape," the staff member said. If approval comes later, staff said timelines would be pushed but remain manageable.

Board members and staff said they will share biweekly construction updates on the district's website. The superintendent and finance staff plan to present a full accounting of summer invoices and a recommendation on bond options at the September board meeting.

Quotes in this article are attributed to unnamed meeting participants where the transcript did not supply full names or titles.