Construction on Herrick and O'Neil advances; ComEd timing and phase‑3 budgeting remain key risks

Project managers and contractors gave the board a construction update showing steady progress at Herrick and O'Neil and plans to start phase 2 elementary work this summer.

Jordan Schultz of the Huffman Kiel Forge team and representatives from Bulley & Andrews reviewed recent milestones: classroom finishes and casework are moving to punch lists, kitchen equipment deliveries were arriving, gym flooring at O'Neil was being installed and site work (drive ring road and student turf pad) was advancing. Jordan clarified the planned turf was natural grass: "Not plastic," he said when asked about turf type.

The presentation flagged two dependencies that could affect schedules and budgets. First, transformer and electrical work await ComEd coordination; project staff hold biweekly ComEd calls and said they continue to press for firm utility dates. Second, design completion for some long-lead mechanical items remains a pressure point: staff and the construction manager discussed whether to issue an interim mechanical procurement package to lock pricing and avoid tariff-driven cost increases. Project managers reported that some electrical components for the summer work are already staged in local warehouses.

On budget items, the team reported 94% of referendum project costs are now committed and that the district is targeting a $16 million design budget for phase 3 elementary work with a planning buffer of about $2 million. The FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) packet on the construction consent agenda totaled about $246,000; the board approved the construction consent agenda later in the meeting, which included purchases for middle-school common spaces and fitness equipment.

Project staff described completion timing: some additions (science at O'Neil) are expected to be complete in July, with broader summer renovation work continuing into August to allow movers, staff setup and punch-list completion. Construction managers emphasized the need to control overtime costs and keep design deliverables on schedule to avoid cascading delays and cost growth.

The board and project team discussed bidding tactics for long-lead items, staging procurement to avoid tariff exposure, and lessons learned from phases 1 and 2. Project leaders said design releases and bid documents for phase 3 will be issued for budgeting in June with some long-lead bid items to follow in late summer or September.

No new contract awards were voted on during the presentation. The board approved the related consent agenda items for FF&E and fitness equipment by roll call later in the meeting.