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Architect: District 58 buildings largely compliant; about $50,000 in urgent life‑safety items identified
Summary
White and Company told the board that a 10‑year life‑safety walkthrough of nine buildings found minimal violations: roughly $50,000 in items classified as urgent and about $23,000 in items to be addressed within five years; the two middle schools inspected had no violations after recent referendum work.
An architectural review required by the Illinois State Board of Education found the district's recently renovated middle schools in compliance and identified limited life‑safety work at several elementary buildings, White and Company told the board on Feb. 9.
"The middle schools, because they had comprehensive updates during the referendum projects, don't have any violations," Nady Shaw, architect and project manager with White and Company, said. Shaw said the review covers nine buildings this cycle (two middle schools and seven elementary schools) and classifies findings as urgent (to be addressed within one year), required (within five years) and recommended (within 10 years).
Shaw reported roughly $50,000 in urgent items (examples cited: wall penetrations that need sealing, doors with incorrect swing directions) and about $23,000 of items that must be addressed within five years (frequently electrical outlets near sinks that need updated protection). Most remaining items fell into the recommended category, which includes accessibility upgrades and pavement repairs.
White and Company said draft reports are available and will be uploaded to the Illinois State Board of Education once the board approves them. Board members asked whether items on the list overlapped with referendum work and were told the walkthroughs distinguished referendum‑scope work from separate items; staff said detailed reports (by school) are available in the meeting packet and can be shared with any board member seeking specifics.
Shaw said remaining elementary schools not included in this round will be inspected after summer construction concludes and that the firm expects to return in roughly one year to complete the district's 10‑year cycle.
