Board approves platform-lift contract for Beach and Ellis elementary; lifts paid from special education funds

The Round Lake Area Board of Education approved a contract on May 19 to install platform lifts at Beach and Ellis elementary schools to improve accessibility for students with mobility needs.

Administration told the board the lifts are required so students can access the music room at Beach without traveling through the gym and to access the library at Ellis. The district said the lifts will be purchased through special education funds and that those funds require American-made equipment; administrators said they will use DME Elevator as a local dealer and Symmetry lifts customized for the district.

At the finance presentation staff identified Bowler as the most responsive and responsible bidder at $228,900 and said an allowance of $50,000 was not expected to be used. At the board meeting the motion approved a contract award to Boiler Construction Company Inc. for installation in the amount of $220,900. Administrators said the vendor and model will be customized to the buildings and that controls will be reachable by staff; the product depiction in materials will be adapted because some younger students will use the lifts.

Board members asked whether all district buildings will be ADA compliant after the projects. Administration said work remains — for example, some gym bleachers and front-door accessibility at other sites still require upgrades — and that the lifts are a step toward improved accessibility but do not by themselves make all district facilities fully ADA compliant.

The board approved the contract by roll call vote.