Architects from Perkins Will and district staff updated the District 200 Board of Education Sept. 10 on progress of the middle‑school capital projects funded by the voter‑approved referendum and outlined the timeline for remaining work and financing.

The presentations covered construction phasing, current on‑site progress at Monroe and Franklin, and high‑level cost estimates and contingencies for the remaining work. Architects described a three‑summer phasing plan for each school and identified clinical priorities — classrooms, library/learning centers, performance spaces, science and exploratory labs, and HVAC and systems work — that require summer construction windows.

Why it matters: The projects involve major renovation and additions at Monroe, Franklin and Edison middle schools tied to a roughly $151.5 million referendum. Timelines and bid results will determine whether the district stays within the referendum budget and when the board must finalize debt issuance parameters.

Perkins Will senior project architect Michael Dolter gave a construction update and described the phasing approach the team used to preserve classroom capacity and building systems while delivering large renovations. Carl Giameti, also of Perkins Will, said the phasing balances what can be completed in a summer with the need to leave each building operable for the next school year.

On-site work this past summer included enabling work and the completion of about 30 renovated classrooms at Monroe, temporary locker-room facilities and accessible paths, excavation for additions at Franklin and early site work for performing-arts additions. The architects and construction manager said Monroe’s classroom renovations included new furniture and technology, and Franklin work included a temporary egress stair and accelerated north entry ramp to maintain accessible routes while demolition and additions proceed.

Finance and construction management staff gave updated cost estimates. Brian O'Keefe and the district’s construction manager (Nicholas and Associates) presented an owner‑level estimate showing an estimated aggregate hard construction cost of roughly $123 million across issuances, with issuance 3 estimated at about $86 million based on 25% construction documents. The estimate includes owner contingencies (about 3.5% for issuance 3) and allowances; staff said unused contingency and allowance funds reduce overall project cost.

Timing for remaining milestones: architects and staff said issuance 3 is scheduled to go to bid in October, the board would receive a parameters resolution in November, and the final debt issuance is scheduled for January. District staff and architects said permitting, utility coordination and early procurement for long‑lead mechanical equipment are underway to maintain the schedule. The administration told the board it expects to present firm bid results and financing parameters before the November board meeting so the board can decide on final borrowing steps.

Board members asked how staff and building teams were managing construction impacts to school operations; Dr. Schuler and the construction manager said teams are coordinating closely and that most utility crossovers are scheduled during non‑instructional periods. Members also asked about skylight work at Monroe (expected to be completed over winter break) and about the appearance of storm‑water improvements at Monroe (engineers described a dry‑bottom landscaped detention area with native grasses, not a permanent wet pond).

Architects emphasized that the library/learning center work will prioritize daylighting, flexible small‑group spaces, and maker‑type stations; auditoriums will receive seating replacements, upgraded lighting and acoustical improvements; exploratory and essentials program spaces will be reconfigured for flexible instruction and life‑skills labs.

No formal board action was taken at the meeting on the design or contract awards; the update was informational and aimed at preparing the board for the October bid release and the November financing parameters report.