Aurora East USD 131 reports summer projects largely complete and under budget

The Aurora East USD 131 Buildings & Grounds Committee on Tuesday received a final update on the district's summer capital and maintenance projects and was told the work came in under budget.

Facilities staff reported that large items completed this summer include a new playground at Johnson, replacement entry doors and classroom windows at several sites, and HVAC-related work at the high school. Staff said finishing touches remain on some sites (fencing and final paint), and that crews staged work to avoid disrupting classes.

Committee members were told the district budgeted about $6.2 million for the summer projects. Current invoices and closeout work total about $5.6 million, leaving roughly $600,000 to return to the district after final adjustments, staff said. The presentation noted an ebb-and-flow of final invoices and contingencies, but that overall costs finished below budget.

Looking ahead, staff said the district will publish bids this fall for work to be performed next summer, including a major high-school HVAC project, tuckpointing, window replacements (Oak Park named as a likely candidate) and roofing. Committee members were told the district expects to spend about $3 million to $4 million next summer on non-HVAC work and intends to plan at the lower end of that range to preserve resources.

The presentation also covered routine final checks and safety steps for newly completed playgrounds (temporary fencing and age limits while surfacing cures) and minor punch-list items.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the update; the presentation was provided for information and planning.