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District to repurpose Birkett Center as STEPS, Gail McKenzie hub and career‑pathways center
Summary
With freshmen moving back to main campuses, Indian Prairie administrators plan to redevelop the Birkett Center into a multipurpose district hub housing the STEPS and Gail McKenzie programs, K–8 STEM space, and expanded career‑technical pathway capstones such as health science, culinary and construction.
With the Birkett (Freshman) Center freed once freshmen return to the high schools, district administrators presented June 9 proposals to convert the site into a district hub for specialized programs.
Phase 1 would bring two signature programs — STEPS and Gail McKenzie — under one roof. STEPS would use first‑floor classrooms and vocational suites, including a dedicated vocational/micro‑enterprise area and a “life skills” apartment designed to teach independent‑living skills. Gail McKenzie would occupy second‑floor space with a dedicated gym and cafeteria access.
Phase 2 envisions multiuse and K–8 STEM spaces, a welcome center for newcomer families and expanded career and technical education (CTE) pathway capstones. District CTE staff highlighted three capstone areas under consideration for the center: a health‑science capstone (with potential postsecondary partnerships), an industrial‑style culinary capstone aimed at authentic commercial food preparation skills, and a construction capstone that would expand hands‑on trades and allow space for advanced HVAC, electrical and plumbing instruction.
Administrators said the STEPS lease at an off‑campus site expires in July 2027; the district aims to complete STEPS suite work in summer 2027 so programming can begin in the 2027–28 school year. Some elevator and access work to support Gail McKenzie may extend into the school year but would be staged so it does not interrupt instruction, presenters said. The larger CTE conversion and additional pathway facilities are scheduled after the 2028–29 school year in the district’s phasing presented to the board.
District presenters emphasized separate secure entrances and circulation to keep programs distinct where appropriate and to provide welcoming, non‑institutional spaces for students in specialized programs. Administrators also said they will coordinate parking and drop‑off patterns with the city and that the district is evaluating contractor staging so student drop‑offs and community use are not disrupted.
Board members asked about enrollment, transportation and space sizing; district staff said TCD (career‑technical) enrollment has roughly doubled in the last five years and that the district would provide transportation for students attending pathway coursework at the Birkett Center. The board did not vote on the Birkett conversion at the June 9 meeting; the presentation served as a planning update.
