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Project manager reports $1.66 million June pay application, board hears retaining-wall and scoreboard concerns
Summary
At a July board meeting, the district’s project manager said Referendum 1 remains on budget while construction continues; the board discussed a $1,663,000 pay application for June, minor change orders, scoreboard siting and worker safety during smoky conditions.
Jason Filipic, the district’s project manager from ICS, told the Cook County Public Schools board that construction tied to Referendum 1 and contract documents for Referendum 2 are progressing and remain largely on track. He said pay application 18 — for work completed in June — totaled $1,663,000 and that only minor change orders (about $17,000) had been approved for plumbing and undocumented field direction.
Filipic reviewed recent and upcoming work, including ordered furniture (about $314,000) for cafeteria and media centers, continued demolition and interior finishes, and exterior work such as precast wall-panel installation scheduled for July 27. He described athletics-area updates: new track surfacing and synthetic turf, grading and a retaining wall that varies from roughly 3 feet to about 12 feet high, and plans to reuse bleachers from the visitors’ side.
Board members pressed on scoreboard placement and maintenance access. One board member asked whether a truck or lifting equipment would be able to reach a scoreboard sited atop the higher retaining wall; Filipic said vendors warned that maintenance could require lifting equipment and moving it across the track and turf could pose logistical challenges. Filipic said his team had discussed sight lines and recommended angling the scoreboard so it is visible from most seating while keeping maintenance practical.
The presentation also covered site utilities and facilities: restroom buildings tied to a 5,000-gallon holding tank (presenter said routing to city sewer would be lengthy and costly), new lighting and accessible parking near athletic fields, and revised theater infrastructure including motorized rigging, lighting controls and a new retractable screen. Filipic said about 40 workers are currently on site, with plans to increase to 50–60 in the coming weeks.
Board members raised safety concerns tied to local smoke and air-quality conditions, asking whether contractors have provisions in their contracts for work stoppages. Filipic said the district would follow OSHA baselines, add HEPA filtration inside buildings and work with contractors to develop an on-site plan by Monday to manage staffing and safety during smoky days.
The board was not asked to take action on construction documents at this meeting; administration said it will return on Aug. 6 with estimates and a recommended bidding process and will request approval at that time.
