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Lockport Township HSD 205 moves forward with essential Central High repairs, cites $26.2 million in life-safety bonds
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bob McBride said the board directed immediate, limited life-safety work at Central High—including a major roof project, exterior masonry repair and an electrical replacement—funded by $26.2 million in life-safety bonds and up to $10–12 million from fund balances; vote tally not specified in the transcript.
The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education signaled it will move ahead this summer with essential life-safety work at Central High, Superintendent Dr. Bob McBride said during a Jan. 27 meeting in the Porter Room.
Dr. McBride said the board previously approved $26,200,000 in life-safety bonds and authorized using a maximum of $10 million to $12 million in district fund balances to cover the most critical repairs. He told the public the May 20, 2024 board direction was to “look at only the most essential facility improvements at Central to keep the place open, functioning, and a place that we know students can be safe at and can be schooled at.” The transcript does not include a vote tally or mover/second for that approval.
District staff plan to prioritize three categories of work: a new, large roof to protect recently installed interior ceilings (Dr. McBride cited about $5,000,000 in new ceilings), repairs to the building exterior (tuckpointing and lintel replacement), and replacement of an aging electrical system. “All of those are basic, roof, walls, and electrical. Basic stuff that really has to be done in order to ensure that our students can continue going to Central,” Dr. McBride said.
McBride framed the approach as intentionally minimal: administrators were directed to identify only work necessary to keep the building safe and operational while the district and community consider longer-term facility needs. He said design and planning work will proceed so construction can begin this summer.
The superintendent also emphasized asset protection and moisture control for masonry sections of the building, noting those repairs are intended to prevent further damage to the school’s structure. The board’s prior approval of bonds and use of fund balances was presented as the funding path; the meeting transcript does not record additional budget detail or a formal vote tally for the actions described.
Next steps include finalizing scopes and schedules for the life-safety projects and coordinating communications with families about timing and any temporary impacts to Central High operations.
