Superintendent reports $666,000 in donations and summer construction progress across Morton 709

District administrators told the Morton Community Unit School District 709 Board of Education that the district received $666,000 in donations during the past year and that the Morton Community Foundation returned about $85,000 to students through designated scholarships and grants. The administrative presenter reported multiple summer construction projects on schedule: a remodel of a Lincoln RISE classroom with a new restroom; related-services offices at Grundy converted from an underused computer lab; East Gym renovation at Morton High School, including bleacher work, scoreboard and basketball standards expected to arrive in September; roofing work and minor asbestos abatement; and a partial roof replacement at the junior high. At Jefferson the presenter described an unusual floor construction discovered during demolition — wooden stringers mortared into concrete under an old floor — and said finishing work and staining will follow. The presenter said Phase 2 planning at Morton High School includes a proposed weight-training facility and a fine-arts expansion in the Bertha Frank Building and that architects and administration are meeting on bid design, scope and timelines. On Grundy, the presenter said the district pivoted from a multi‑phase project that previously had a phase-1 cost in the vicinity of $7,000,000 and is now considering a reduced single-phase project to add four or five classrooms, dedicated early-childhood and preschool spaces, and playground equipment. The presenter said administration secured about $80,000 in FY25 through a PFA grant and is hopeful for another $80,000 for playground equipment. Morton Academy plans were described as in the planning stage; administration said it will meet with the Center for Child and Family Solutions to discuss leasing additional adjacent administrative space and possible lease adjustments. The presenter said work will continue with architects and that a one‑page summary of projects and estimates will be prepared for the board and community. Ending: Administrators said most projects remain on schedule, recommended continued board support for capital work, and said budget and bid details will be returned to the board when available.