District administrators reported progress and plans on a package of facility projects that the finance presentation and facilities report tie to the FY26 budget.

District staff said Morton High School Phase 2 officially went out for bid on July 31, with a scheduled bid opening on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. The high school’s East Gym project is in progress; administrators said subcontractors have begun the four-week process to install a new hardwood gym floor, which includes layered subfloor work.

Administrators described a set of O&M projects that were carried into FY26 planning: the Grundy Room renovation, Lincoln restroom and classroom remodel, a junior high roof, and junior high STEM lab upgrades that are now included in the FY26 capital list. Grundy’s related-services offices and new cafeteria tables were described as nearly complete, although some wooden doors remain on back order.

The district said it is out to bid for a “wait room” addition budgeted at about $7.0 million (funded partly by O&M and capital projects), and that bids will be received in August. A proposed expansion tied to Morton Academy was described: administrators presented a plan to expand or extend lease space by roughly 1,300 square feet for administrative, related-services, sensory, and therapy spaces and said a conceptual 30,000-foot “30,000-foot view” plan for a possible instructional-side expansion is being prepared; Lisa Kowalski included $1.5 million in the FY26 budget to account for this potential project.

Officials noted logistical constraints: some doors and finishes remain on back order and may not be installed until after the school year begins; administrators said steel doors may arrive sooner than wooden doors and estimated wooden doors could be two weeks into the school year. The district also reported ongoing coordination with village work on crosswalks and payments for SRO services to Morton Police Department, which have budget implications referenced in the finance report.

Administrators thanked staff for work on new-staff orientation and the facilities teams for summer construction scheduling, and they said staff will report additional details to the board after the Aug. 27 bid opening and as contracts are awarded.

Ending: Staff will return with bid results and schedule updates; many of the listed capital projects will affect the district’s O&M and capital projects spending profiles in FY26.