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District staff outline summer capital projects; $6.5M bond expected to close May 21
Summary
District staff told the board that Central High School restroom renovations already have a contract in legal review, pool staircase and elevator work will follow, HVAC bids will go out and the district expects to close a $6.5 million bond in May to fund projects.
District staff told the School City of East Chicago board on April 22 that several capital projects are set to begin or advance this summer and that the district expects to close a $6,500,000 bond to help fund the work.
Mrs. Simmons presented the capital project timeline: a contract for Central High School restroom renovations is in legal review; a contract for a staircase in the pool section has been advanced with the vendor and is proceeding; work on an elevator and a new common area at the back of Central High School is planned but, as presented, likely will not start until mid-spring 2026 because the staircase, pool pillars and related work must be coordinated first.
"We are in the process of getting a $6,500,000 bond; we will close on that I do believe, May 21," Mrs. Simmons told trustees, adding the district was out for bid to obtain the lowest interest rate. She also said the district planned to put an HVAC contract into legal review and hoped to go out for bid the following Friday, and that three vendors are being solicited separately to complete the tennis court work so the work can be done in a timely way.
Mrs. Simmons said the district is moving quickly because contractors are warning of material-cost increases and that an early bidding schedule is intended to limit exposure to price escalation.
Why it matters: The projects affect Central High School facilities, accessibility and building systems that are used daily by students and staff. The bond, if closed as described, will provide district capital financing; the timing and coordination of pool, stair and elevator work create interdependencies that could delay parts of the project.
What trustees asked and directed: Trustees asked for timelines and confirmations regarding legal review and bidding; Mrs. Simmons said some projects are already in vendor coordination or legal review and others will proceed to bid. No board vote on the bond or construction contracts appears in the transcript excerpt; staff described next steps and will return contracts for board approval as required by district procedure.
