District outlines summer construction logistics; proposes specialized janitorial contractor

Flossmoor SD 161 administrators briefed the board on summer construction logistics for Heather Hill and Serena Hills and presented a janitorial proposal intended to ensure buildings are clean and ready for staff and students when classes resume.

District staff said Pepper Construction will stage trailers and begin site work at Heather Hill within weeks, with initial dirt-moving expected as site conditions allow. To clear classrooms for construction, the district plans to pack furniture and materials into ConEx (container) storage boxes staged near the buildings. The administration said containers would be located near construction fencing, monitored as needed, and that Pepper will coordinate staging.

To prepare classrooms for occupancy after construction, the district recommended contracting Boyd Janitorial to provide specialized post-construction cleaning. Administrators said Boyd has prior experience cleaning after construction at university and hospital sites and proposed staggered crews to allow overlap with district maintenance staff. The board was told the proposal falls below the district’s formal bid threshold (stated in the meeting as $35,000) and that the company would provide the type of heavy-duty cleaning (dust removal, floor stripping/waxing where needed, window and fixture cleaning) the district expects after ceiling and flooring work.

District staff also explained timelines for furniture delivery and assembly: new furniture is scheduled for the last week of July and the vendor will assemble units; technology and another cleaning pass will follow assembly and then staff will unpack ConEx boxes into classrooms. The facilities presentation noted the district will sequence construction, cleaning, furniture delivery, technology installation and a final cleaning sweep so buildings open for staff and students on schedule.

Why it matters: The district is preparing to complete building renovations while minimizing disruption to summer schedules and ensuring classrooms are move-in ready. Administrator comments emphasized the operational complexity — coordinating contractors, staging containers, scheduling deep cleaning and furniture installation — and the need for experienced cleaning crews to handle construction dust and finishing tasks.

Next steps: Staff will finalize staging locations with the contractor, execute the janitorial agreement as recommended (below bid threshold), and return to the board with any material changes to schedule or cost.