District 58 says referendum construction is largely on track; Kingsley roof needs larger repair next year

Jordan Schultz, the owner’s representative from Huffman Kiel, told the Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board on July 14 that work on the district’s referendum projects is progressing and that most major costs are already committed. The presentation said 94% of referendum project costs have been committed and that construction is roughly 73% complete districtwide. Schultz said the district has largely completed the demolition and is moving through mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins before finishing work and move management in August and November. Schultz highlighted the Herrick and O’Neil sites, the main-entrance work at one middle school, and the installation of a ComEd utility pole. “Phase 1 had a little bit of leftover work, punch list, some commissioning items left from last year. That’s getting wrapped up as we speak,” Schultz said. He added that phase 2 elementary schools were past demolition and moving into finish work, and that phase 3 design was at about 50%. The presentation also flagged a roofing problem discovered during summer demolition at Kingsley Elementary. Schultz said some of the insulation under the roofing system was found to be damp and that short-term repairs will be done this summer while a larger repair is planned for summer 2026. “The order of magnitude to do the full repair next summer could be up closing in on or over $100,000,” Schultz said. Board members asked how the Kingsley repairs would be funded. Schultz said the team’s initial plan is to cover immediate repairs from existing trade allowances and construction contingency within the contractor’s guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and to consider using remaining phase-2 allowances or a district capital fund for larger repairs if necessary. “There’s a line item in the roofers contract that says, when we find issues, you will repair them up to this amount,” he explained. Schultz said the overall furniture budget is trending under budget and that about 94% of referendum project costs are committed; he estimated the district was using only a fraction of its allocated contingency on the elementary phase so far. He told the Board the project-management team has increased field reporting to reduce surprises and speed subcontractor submittals. At the meeting the Board later approved a construction consent agenda that included early ordering of phase 3 elementary equipment, third-party plan review and inspections for phase 3 and phase 1 kitchen infrastructure, and purchase of middle-school coral risers. The motion passed on a roll call of members present. Why this matters: the referendum funds pay for additions and major renovations at 13 schools; schedule and contingency decisions this summer affect classroom readiness and move management for the fall semester. What’s next: the district will complete move-management work and remaining interior finishes this summer and continue design and bidding for phase 3; the Board will see updated phase-3 budget numbers later in July.