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District details summer construction, LED retrofit and a possible rooftop solar study
Summary
District staff and Nicholas & Associates briefed the board on planned summer construction at Ramona, Mackenzie, Central, Wilmette Junior High and Highcrest, timelines for chiller and switchboard work, a districtwide LED lighting retrofit that may require a procurement/bid, and exploratory scoping for rooftop solar on the junior high.
The Wilmette SD 39 facilities team and consultants outlined a packed summer construction schedule and early-stage projects for the next five years.
Consultant Mike Bickler of Nicholas & Associates told the board the 2023 chiller work is complete and the remaining final test-and-balance will happen once students are out for the summer. At Highcrest, staff will replace a switchboard the week of June 10; Bickler said that change-out will last about three weeks and the district will provide temporary power so scheduled summer programs can continue. Central will receive parking-lot and sanitary work that requires closing playground and grass areas for safety; staff estimated that phase will take less than five weeks to reopen for public and student use. The Wilmette Junior High roofing project is phased and expected to occupy most of the summer.
District staff said early procurement steps for a 2025 chiller are already complete: design criteria were issued in May, submittals are with the manufacturer's representative, and staff expect to place the formal order within about two weeks, allowing roughly a year for delivery. Staff outlined a timetable for the 2025 work: a 60% construction document package will issue later in June, a detailed budget will follow in July, 85% CDs in August–September, and a September bid with an October opening.
The board also reviewed a five-year capital summary. Facilities staff flagged two items for future board consideration: renovation of 10–12 restrooms at Highcrest (slated tentatively for summer 2027) and a districtwide LED lighting replacement that would begin this summer using district maintenance staff. Staff cautioned that buying fixtures for the whole district in a single purchase could exceed public-bidding thresholds; they plan to either run multiple bids, structure staggered deliveries, or use cooperative purchasing contracts when appropriate. Staff noted incentives from ComEd for LED replacements and projected energy savings would help shorten payback.
Separately, staff described preliminary exploration of installing solar panels on portions of the Wilmette Junior High roof following the roof replacement. They called the solar project exploratory—saying they will return with more detailed financial analysis and constraints if the work appears viable.
The presentation closed with board members asking clarifying questions about storage, bid timing and whether the LED procurement could be staged; staff said they will return with more detailed bid specifications and cost/payback information before seeking board approval to advertise.
