Kindergarten center construction advances; district urges families to register by Feb. 15

Jack Hayes, project manager for FQC, told the Glen Ellyn SD 41 Board of Education on Jan. 13 that construction at the district’s kindergarten center has progressed to the roof level and that crews have poured the Second Floor concrete.

“This is the Second Floor. So we were able to install the concrete floor,” Hayes said, adding that the district’s decision to fund temporary heat and protective enclosures has allowed trades to continue work through cold weather and regain schedule time.

The progress feeds into the district’s operational planning for next school year. Dr. Jeff McHugh, superintendent, said the district has received more than 300 pre-registrations for kindergarten and is encouraging families to complete registration between Jan. 15 and Feb. 15. He said registration numbers will determine how many kindergarten classrooms the new center will open with and which programs remain in existing schools.

Hayes described several on-site actions: exterior masonry up to roof level, exterior framing with insulating board (“dense glass”), a temporary roof to keep the building dry, and interior work including electrical rough-in and HVAC duct deliveries. He said casework (cabinets, cubbies and built-ins) and window installation are critical path items and that the next 60 to 90 days should show the building enclosed with drywall, door frames and rough plumbing in place.

“We have been able to make up some time with the investments that have been made,” Hayes said, referring to the district-funded temporary measures.

On related site work, Hayes said White and Company and the district are working with DuPage County on permit comments for roadway improvements. Because permit review remains in process, the district plans to go out to bid the week after the meeting with the current design documents; Hayes said the district will receive bids in February and return to the board for approval of the roadway contract.

Board members asked about logistics for getting classrooms and furniture ready during a tight handoff if the Aug. 25 target holds. Mr. DePorter (staff member) said furniture options were chosen, priced and on order; the district plans to stage, unpack and prepare furnishings off-site so setup on delivery will be faster.

“If we need all hands on deck, that’s absolutely something we can do,” Hayes said when asked whether volunteers could help with classroom setup during any end-of-summer crunch.

Hayes and district staff also discussed cold-weather impacts: temporary heat and enclosures are required to pour the First Floor slab, cold conditions reduce daily output for trades (requiring short breaks and possibly contractor efficiency premiums), and the temporary roof will protect interior work until the permanent roof can be installed.

Nut graf: The kindergarten center project is substantially advanced, and district leaders say construction and administrative planning are both driving a realistic timeline toward opening. But the schedule depends on finishing glazing and interior casework, receiving roadway bids and completing registration-driven staffing and classroom assignments.

The board will see the roadway bid package and related contract award request after bids are received; staff said that package will be the last construction-related bid coming to the board for the overall project.

Ending: Superintendent Dr. Jeff McHugh urged families with incoming kindergarten students to register between Jan. 15 and Feb. 15 so the district can finalize classroom allocations, half- versus full-day placements and staffing. Hayes said, if the current pace holds, August still looks promising but the district must coordinate furniture, casework installation and classroom moves in the weeks before school opens.