Board approves interim classroom cooling plan, awards electrical work not to exceed $45,000

The Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board voted Aug. 12 to approve an interim cooling plan for priority classrooms and awarded electrical work to DJ Sweeney Electrical Contracting in an amount not to exceed $45,000. District staff said they prioritized rooms based on temperature measurements taken over multiple days and selected rooms at Lincoln and Irving as initial focus points; the interim work will be maintained while the district completes a master facilities plan, which could recommend longer-term HVAC solutions. Why it matters: the installations are intended to make classrooms safe and usable during heat periods and to provide temporary relief while the district evaluates a comprehensive facilities strategy. What the board approved: - A motion to approve a summer 2025 cooling plan and related electrical contracting work not to exceed $45,000 with DJ Sweeney Electrical Contracting. - Staff said this interim work is distinct from more extensive HVAC work considered under the district referendum's projects and that the installations are intended to last through the coming school year while the master facilities plan proceeds. Discussion points and follow-up: Board members asked that staff keep PTOs (Irving PTO was specifically mentioned) informed because some parent groups had raised questions and in some cases offered to fund initial equipment. Administrators said Irving PTO had been contacted and that staff conducted temperature checks in multiple rooms to prioritize the work.