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Regional School District 10 reviews five‑year capital plan, prepares for new state DRIP funding
Summary
The Facilities Committee reviewed a rolling five‑year capital plan, confirmed RTU and security‑grant work is largely complete or near completion, and discussed how the new state DRIP grants (created by Public Act 25‑174 §131) will affect project priorities and funding allocations beginning FY2026.
The Regional School District 10 Facilities Committee on March 9 reviewed its rolling five‑year capital plan and discussed how a new state grant program will change how projects are prioritized.
Susan Laone, a committee member, told colleagues the capital plan “is a fluid document, as assessments and needs change so can the schedule,” and that items can move between categories depending on funding and eligibility. The plan is divided into operational/reserve priorities, partially grant‑funded projects, proposed bonding projects and items expected to be eligible for the District Repair and Improvement Project (DRIP).
Rich Miller, a committee member who walked members through the operational/reserve list, said several projects are already underway or nearing completion: Phase I rooftop unit (RTU) replacements were completed with ARPA funding, and Phase II RTU work is nearly finished though a small punch list remains. The school security grant equipment has been purchased and in‑house installation work is ongoing.
The committee reviewed a table of estimated project costs and funding sources that lists multiple RTU phases (Phase I $414,179; Phase II $1,371,634; later phases with separate estimated costs), a school security grant line (listed as $107,487.47) and larger bond‑eligible projects such as Lewis S. Mills field enhancements (listed at $4.1 million). A new line item for removal and replacement of an oil tank at Lewis S. Mills/HB was added with a projected start in about three years.
DRIP — the District Repair and Improvement Project created under Public Act 25‑174 §131 — was discussed as a new recurring state funding source for capital repairs. The committee was told DRIP is administered by the Office of Policy and Management’s Intergovernmental Policy & Planning Division and that districts will be notified of allocations each March. The DRIP summary provided to the committee lists eligible uses including construction, renovation, HVAC and other fixed‑system work, ADA upgrades and remediation of hazardous materials.
The DRIP one‑page also lists administrative deadlines the district will need to meet: OPM notifies PSOs of allocations by March 1; FY26 funds are to be disbursed by June 30, 2026; a CEO certification is due April 15; and annual expense reports are due via OPM’s portal by Sept. 1 beginning in 2027.
The committee did not take votes on bonding projects during the meeting; its only formal action was approving the Nov. 25, 2025 minutes (motion by Matt Cummings; second by Paul Omichinski; unanimous approval). Members emphasized that funding amounts and priorities will change year to year and that the district will reassign projects between reserve, DRIP and bond lists depending on annual allocations and project eligibility.
Committee discussion left the timing and scope of several large bond projects and roof replacements unchanged for now; members deferred further bonding conversation until staff can provide more detailed cost estimates and confirm DRIP allocations.
