Board awards Job Order Contract to FH Paschen for MacArthur Middle School renovations

The Prospect Heights School District 23 Board of Education on Oct. 9 approved entering a Job Order Contract (JOC) with FH Paschen for window, siding and door replacement work at MacArthur Middle School.

Administration and consultants from ARCON presented updated renderings, project timelines and procurement rationale. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Amy McPartlin told the board the recommendation follows committee review and legal approval: "Following review of the solicitation as issued by the City of Elmwood Park and approval by the District's legal team at Kriha Boucek, the recommendation is being made to enter into a Job Order Contract (JOC) through a cooperative agreement with FH Paschen," the packet states.

Board member Spencer Long moved to approve the award of the JOC to FH Paschen; Tracey Morrissey seconded the motion. The motion passed with six yeas and one abstention: Brynn Nordmark abstained and the minutes record the abstention as "With Conflict." The minutes record the tally as Yea:6, Nay:0, Abstain:1.

Administration cited prior work FH Paschen completed for the district in 2024 at Betsy Ross, Anne Sullivan and the Grodsky Administration Building and listed pros and cons of cooperative JOC procurement including potential cost savings and reliance on prior contractor experience. The packet and supporting memorandum reference Illinois procurement law: "Illinois School Code, Article 10-20/21 exempts state master contracts and cooperative purchasing when complying with legal procurement procedures."

Next steps in the packet call for coordination of design, bidding of specific job orders under the JOC and follow-up reporting to the Finance and Buildings & Sites committees.

Provenance: The motion and recommendation are documented in the board packet and minutes (action item and background memo).