Board accepts 10‑year life‑safety survey, authorizes architect to begin planning for roughly $25.8M in work

Minooka CCSD 201’s board of education on May 20 accepted the district’s statutorily required 10‑year life‑safety survey and authorized the district’s architect to begin planning and bid preparation for the 2027 phase of work, officials said.

The survey — the first action item after the consent agenda — documents required corrections under the Illinois School Code and lists building‑level estimates totaling $25,777,000. Mrs. Robinson, who presented the report, said the projects are expected to be concentrated in the first five years of the 10‑year cycle and that district staff intend to phase the work to align district resources.

Why it matters: life‑safety work identified in the survey represents code‑required corrections (for example, electrical, plumbing and HVAC items flagged in building assessments) that the district must address to remain compliant and safe. The board’s approvals do not award construction contracts or authorize all individual projects; they accept the survey and give the architect authority to prepare plans and bid documents for the 2027 work.

District funding plan and bond timing: staff told the board that life‑safety projects are financed primarily from the life‑safety tax levy (Fund 90) and, when needed, by issuing life‑safety bonds. As of the presentation, Fund 90 held about $3.6 million and the district collects roughly $800,000 per year into that fund, the board was told. Staff said the district will use available fund balance first and issue bonds for the remaining amount; when life‑safety bonds are issued, the board was told a majority of bond proceeds must be used within three years.

Board action: the board voted by roll call to (1) accept the 10‑year life‑safety survey and (2) authorize the architect to begin planning and prepare bid documents for the 2027 work. The motions were approved during separate roll calls after discussion about phasing and the need for a construction manager to oversee large projects.

Next steps and oversight: staff said a construction manager recommendation will come back to the board as part of the procurement process. The district also said PMA (its financial advisor) will present multiple financing scenarios at a July meeting, showing options for bond sizing and repayment timelines so the board can weigh tax impacts and payback length.

The board’s approvals set planning in motion but do not yet commit the district to individual construction contracts or a specific bond issue.