District 58 completes middle-school renovations; board revises rental rules to welcome community youth groups

The board heard a facilities update and approved revised building-rental guidelines to reflect newly available middle-school gym space and to differentiate community nonprofit youth groups from for-profit renters.

Superintendent and facilities staff reported that windows at O'Neil are replaced, the utility pole at Herrick was removed, punch-list corrections and HVAC commissioning are ongoing, and phase 3 elementary bids were scheduled to open Oct. 21. Officials said final closeout on some phase 1 projects is expected by year-end and that substantial middle-school work should be done by the new year.

Because both renovated middle schools now have full-size gyms, administrators proposed reworking rental classifications to create a category for nonprofit youth groups that primarily serve District 58 students. "We wanted to make sure that community groups in Downers Grove have a place in our schools and that we look at that differently than we would just an outside for-profit group," an administrator said. The revised guidelines allow the superintendent or designee to waive a two-hour minimum in limited circumstances and to consider custodial-fee waivers for low-impact, short classroom uses.

Board members discussed comparables (District 99, Bolingbrook) and emphasized honoring the intergovernmental agreement with the Downers Grove Park District. Administration said weekday custodial coverage typically exists until about 10 p.m., but weekend usage often incurs overtime custodial fees that must be captured in rental pricing.

The board approved the revised building-rental guidelines by roll-call vote. Administration said they will bring back final bid outcomes for phase 3 at the Nov. meeting and will refine rental language as more community groups request space.