Northbrook SD 28 approves Meadowbrook pay application, hears progress on multiple school construction projects

The Northbrook SD 28 Board of Education approved a $544,333.50 Pay Application No. 2 to HAP for Meadowbrook gym construction and voted to hire an AV/acoustic consulting firm for additions districtwide.

Superintendent Dr. Pearson told the board the Meadowbrook gym project has had no safety incidents and is on schedule: "We are on schedule, which is a celebration," he said, noting underground electrical and plumbing are complete, concrete and masonry walls are nearly at full height and structural steel and the metal roof deck are due to arrive this week. He added there are currently no change orders.

The board also reviewed conceptual renderings for Meadowbrook’s main building — a library/media center, hub spaces for student services, and a STEM classroom — and Dr. Pearson said the district will advertise bids in December, open bids in January and hopes to begin main-building construction in April after the gym is finished.

At Westmore, the superintendent described a north-side addition that includes a new cafeteria with a separate community entrance, an early childhood wing and flexible use of the existing gymnasium. He said bids should be issued in the March–April timeframe and construction would begin the following summer; outdoor space work will likely follow the building work.

Dr. Pearson outlined phased work at Greenbrier, where the district is replacing the oldest wing in a first phase and placing a new cafeteria where art and music currently are. He said the district is deliberately limiting square footage in the first phase to avoid triggering a storm-shelter requirement.

Northbrook Junior High design work focuses on adding a new cafeteria, improving traffic flow and accessibility, adding restrooms on every floor and addressing HVAC replacement as a priority. Dr. Pearson said the architects will present more detailed bid information early next year.

On construction payments and contracts, Buildings & Grounds recommended approval of Pay Application #2 to HAP in the amount of $544,333.50, with the district retaining 10% as retainage; the board approved the payment. The board also approved hiring HAV for AV/acoustic consulting after DLA solicited three proposals and recommended HAV as the least expensive and most comprehensive option.

The board flagged continuing oversight: members confirmed there are no current change orders on the Meadowbrook project and requested architects return with bid details and timelines at a future meeting. The meeting closed business and moved to closed session for personnel matters.

The board vote on Pay Application #2 and the AV/acoustic contract were recorded as approved by roll call; details are in the board minutes.