Leadership

Plebiscite Blueprints

Referendum Bond Project

As superintendent, I oversaw a $114 million referendum construction project that was funded by $89 million in referendum bond funds and another $25 million from district funds. The District 113 referendum construction project was passed to enhance learning environments at both Highland Park High School and Deerfield High School. The project consisted of an overall variety of improvements, such as new gymnasiums, pools, and library construction, as well as complete renovations in terms of many classrooms, and upgrades with respect to new lighting, windows, and HVAC systems for both school campuses.

Construction at Highland Park High School (HPHS) was, at times, complicated. The entire A-Wing (on the first floor) was fitted with new windows, lights, and HVAC systems while the B-Wing (all floors) was completely demolished and rebuilt from the inside out. The new C-Wing provided new classrooms for creative cuisine, photo, ceramics, and art rooms as well as new innovation and collaboration spaces for students. HPHS’s new pool and athletic facilities, including a new weight room and new yoga and dance studios were also new construction, which required major parts of the building to be demolished, including the old pool to make way for the new pool.

Much of the coordination centered on ensuring student learning was not disrupted. For example, since the HPHS pool was being demolished, the school would be without athletics and physical education learning spaces. Students would share space between the campuses (as needed) while retired facilities were demolished and new facilities were constructed between both campuses. Deerfield High School was able to maintain the old pool while constructing an entirely new facility for the new pool. DHS was also able to maintain the old gymnasium while the new gymnasium was constructed. Students were able to successfully share resources across campuses during this multi-year project.

I was especially proud that during the final year I oversaw the referendum project, we were able to not only finish on time, on scope, and on budget, but actually finish under budget, which is not typically the case. I coordinated efforts with our facilities director as well as my assistant superintendent for finance and the community oversight committee throughout the project. I held weekly standing meetings with my facilities director and my assistant superintendent for finance to review expenditures and address any requests for change orders. As a result, we were able to closely monitor progress. 

As we neared completion, I was extremely happy to share with my Board and the oversight committee we would be completing our work with $800,000 in surplus funds that went unspent. I worked with my Board, the oversight committee, and teaching staff to learn what additional projects we could apply the funds towards to further support teaching and learning. We were able to utilize and apply remaining funds as long as they remained in-line with the legal guidelines set forth in the referendum work.

Lastly, after the conclusion of the referendum project, Deerfield High School received recognition for the work performed at one of the nation’s largest state education conferences. During the 2017 Joint Annual Conference, which is a premier training event for school board members, administrators, and business officials, the District and DHS were acknowledged for architectural work performed that transformed the building, beautified the facility, and captured the flow of students throughout the renovated areas. The award also recognized the highly flexible, collaborative academic athletic spaces that were both renovated and constructed throughout the referendum project. 

I was extremely proud of the work performed by our architectural firm and the support of stakeholders across the district to bring the referendum project to fruition. It was also an honor to have our work recognized by members of the IASB, IASA, and IASBO from across the state.

 

 

 

CANE Dubh Publishing

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

Latest Leadership
Latest Press Articles

New Dist. 113 Superintendent the Right Choice

D-113 Names New Superintendent

D-113 Names New Superintendent

New Dist. 113 Superintendent the Right Choice

D-113 Names New Superintendent

D-113 Names New Superintendent

Latest Blog Posts
In Arte Mathematica

In Arte Mathematica

Practicing Tikkun Olam

The Chemistry of Art or the Art of Chemistry_

The Chemistry of Art or the Art of Chemistry?

The Surreal and the Sublime

The Surreal and the Sublime

Life’s Travels in Language and Culture

In Arte Mathematica

In Arte Mathematica

Practicing Tikkun Olam

Menu