Finance committee recommends Geneva CUSD 304 2026-27 O&M capital improvement plan to full board

The Geneva CUSD 304 Board of Education finance committee on April 27 voted to recommend the districts 2026-27 operations and maintenance (O&M) capital improvement plan to the full board after a detailed presentation by Director of Operations Bridal Peterson.

Peterson summarized 2025-26 work completed at Geneva High School and across the district, citing air-handler replacements, a trailer conversion, gym fan installation, a library renovation, two elevator modernizations and replacement of the maintenance garage makeup-air unit. "And, again, all projects were completed, on time and under budget," Peterson said.

Looking ahead to 2026-27, Peterson described planned work at Geneva High School including greenhouse glazing replacement, paving and site work at the east parking lot and student drop-off, a fire-rated separation wall at the boiler house to address a code issue, full-depth replacement of eight tennis courts and localized roofing and masonry repairs to address leaks near the cafeteria. At the athletic complex he said the tennis courts would undergo full-depth removal and replacement.

At Geneva Middle School North, the plan calls for replacement of two boilers, associated hot-water pumps and four chilled-water pumps in the central plant; Peterson said the district will move from two large boilers to five smaller, higher-efficiency boilers to improve temperature control and overall efficiency. Middle School South projects include a generator replacement and transfer switch, fire-alarm upgrades and continued elevator modernization.

Elementary work listed in the plan includes piping and corrosion repairs at Fabian Elementary, LED lighting upgrades at multiple schools, masonry cleaning and tuckpointing and VAV valve work carried over at Mill Creek Elementary, and domestic water-heater replacements at Harrison Street Elementary. The presentation also identified repairs at the Kessinger bus garage, notably mechanic-pit repairs and corroded guardrails, to address safety and maintenance access.

Committee members asked how project priorities are set; Peterson said safety and student comfort are primary factors and that the facilities team balances long-term needs against annual budget constraints. He said some labor-intensive projects, like LED conversions, are performed in-house to reduce costs, while major mechanical and envelope projects are contracted. Peterson noted some items were deferred for budget or timing reasons, for example VAV actuator work at Mill Creek that will carry into 2026-27.

After the presentation the committee approved a motion to forward the 2026-27 O&M capital improvement plan to the full board; the motion was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally; the plan will appear on the next full-board agenda for formal action.

Next steps: the full board will review and vote on the O&M capital improvement plan at a subsequent meeting.