Board approves $2.19 million contract for MacArthur Middle School window and siding work

The Prospect Heights School District 23 Board on Dec. 18 approved a base bid of $2,192,768 for MacArthur Middle School window, siding and door replacements, awarding the contract to F.H. Paschen.

The board approved the base award after administration presented the contractor's revised scope and pricing, which included add‑alternate pricing for a gym curtain wall ($52,324) and a dust collector ($48,844), and a deductive alternate (leave some 1990s windows in place) that would reduce the project cost by $155,814 if selected. F.H. Paschen's submitted documents state, "The budgeted cost to furnish and install the above referenced work is Two Million One‑Hundred Ninety‑Two Thousand Seven‑Hundred Sixty‑Eight Dollars, $2,192,768.00." The Board held pricing for Add Alternates #1 and #2 until Eisenhower bids are opened to allow for further deliberation.

The motion to award the base bid was made by Board member Tracey Morrissey and seconded by Brian Greidanus; the roll call recorded Botwinski Yea, Greidanus Yea, Long Yea, Morrissey Yea and Nordmark Abstain (Yea:4, Nay:0, Abstain:1). The abstention was recorded for Brynn Nordmark. The administration noted the contract includes exclusions and allowances described in the contractor's proposal, and that any decision to accept or reject alternates would occur in follow‑up board discussions.

The approval follows Buildings & Sites and Finance committee review of scope, bid clarifications and funding options; administration reported that funds released from Senator Mark Walker's office are to be considered for a bondable capital project and will be evaluated as part of the district's overall facilities planning.