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District says Springfield and Northwestern renovations are on schedule and under budget; board readies May bond ask
Summary
Facilities staff reported Springfield and Northwestern renovations are largely complete or on track, showed cost breakdowns and contingency use, and trustees discussed a longer-term $139 million need with a May 2025 bond proposal for $20–25 million designed to avoid a millage increase.
Facilities staff updated the board on major renovation work at Springfield and Northwestern, saying both projects are on time and that much of the early work — HVAC, electrical, plumbing and other behind‑the‑wall systems — accounted for a substantial portion of costs. The Springfield project included full HVAC replacements, new transformers, exterior doors and windows, reconfigured classrooms (e.g., dividing room C‑26), storm drainage and site work, while Northwestern received a similar mechanical scope plus an added dehumidification unit for the natatorium, a secured vestibule, a central bell/clock system and additional kindergarten classrooms.
Project photos shown to the board emphasized behind‑the‑scenes upgrades (boiler rooms and fire suppression risers) and interior finishes (new gym floors, auditorium work and new visual display units). Facilities staff said both projects remain on time for the stated turnovers and that some additional work was completed using contingency funds, including a new fire alarm at Springfield.
Board discussion turned to districtwide capital needs. Facilities and board leaders presented an estimated long-range need of about $139,000,000 to address aging facilities across the district. As a near-term step, staff recommended pursuing a May 2025 bond measure targeting $20–25 million structured to produce no increase in tax millage (no millage increase was emphasized repeatedly). The board discussed leveraging sinking funds, grants and future bond opportunities to fund remaining phases.
Staff also outlined furnishing needs at Northwestern (a total furniture package target of about $750,000) and asked the board to consider a recommended $250,000 from district fund balance to complete the outfitting of classrooms, offices and specialized spaces; trustees discussed contingency and bond allocations as possible sources of funding. Trustees asked about walkthroughs and site tours; staff outlined plans for a VIP ribbon cutting in May and a public opening in summer 2025.
