THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
Several School Improvement Projects On District 59's Plate
Numerous improvement projects that need attention in Elk Grove Township Elementary Dist. 59 schools were reviewed by school board members at a recent meeting.
The replacement of the roof at Mt. Prospect's John Jay Elementary School was submitted as part of the 2008-09 capital improvement projects. This project was identified as a "Priority 3", meaning it was necessary to maintain the operation and upkeep of the building.
According to district officials, the current roof is out of warranty and showing signs of wear and failure. The budget was estimated at $450,000 to complete this project. Bids were issued to 11 roofing contractors inviting them to submit a bid on removing and replacing the roof at John Jay.
Due to high bid costs, the district recommended rejecting all bids at this time. District officials said this will give them and a consultant the opportunity to re-consider alternate solutions or specifications.
The Building and Grounds staff will make any intermediate necessary repairs that will extend the life of the roof for an additional year. It was recommended that project be brought back for reconsideration with completion scheduled during the summer 2009.
The 2008-09 capital improvements include replacing worn carpet with tile at Clearmont School in Elk Grove Village.
Part of the project requires the abatement of asbestos. The cost to remove the asbestos was estimated at $25,000. This project was also identified as a Priority 3.
Bid specifications require approximately 3,810 sq. ft. of flooring to be removed.
The first component of the project entails the contractor providing complete removal and disposal of all asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic, including applicable carpet in the south hallways of the school.
The second component of the projects consists of the contractor providing complete non-friable removal and disposal of all asbestos-containing floor tile and mastic in the three south gymnasium storage rooms.
The school board is expected to award the bid to Lemont-based Universal Asbestos Removal, Inc. in the amount of $20,000 at the next board meeting on Monday, Apr. 28.
Carpeting replacement at Byrd in Elk Grove Village ($24,400), Devonshire in Des Plaines ($21,000), and Rupley in Elk Grove Village ($12,000) was budgeted as part of the 2008-09 capital improvement projects for a total of $59,400.
Carpeting in the Learning Resource Centers (LRC) and labs will be replaced at Byrd and Devonshire and the carpeting in six classrooms will be replaced at Rupley. All work is scheduled to be completed during the summer.
Board members are expected to approve the bid to Addison-based Vortex Enterprises in the amount of $60,856 at the next meeting.
According to district officials, Vortex has performed "quality work" for the district in the past.
A total of $113,000 was budgeted for locker replacement at Devonshire and Holmes schools in the 2008-09 capital projects list.
District officials said student lockers will be installed at Devonshire to provide a "safe and clutter-free" hallway. Currently, Devonshire has no student lockers. Dist. 59 maintenance staff will permanently install the lockers at Devonshire.
At Holmes Junior High in Mt. Prospect, the projects list included the replacement and installation of "high-impact, high-density" polyethylene lockers in the boy's locker room.
District officials said the plastic lockers are better suited to withstand moisture and are easier to maintain. They also said the metal lockers currently in that area are beyond repair. Dist. 59 personnel will remove all existing lockers.
Board members are expected to approve the bid to Palatine-based Larson Equipment in the amount of $46,042 for the lockers at Devonshire and to Elk Grove Village-based Carroll Seating in the amount of $59,971 for the lockers, including installation, at Holmes at the next meeting.
Lastly, the capital project list includes an allocation of $87,000 for the replacement of the gym floors at Robert Frost and Salt Creek Schools in Elk Grove Village. Those projects are a continuation of the gym floor replacement plan designed to replace the existing gym floors with flooring that does not require a large amount of time.
The bid specifications require the removal of the existing floor tile, the installation of an underlayment, and the installation of the new "Mondo Advance" flooring. Mondo is a rubber gym floor that does not require coatings such as strippers, sealers, or wax. In addition, Mondo improves shock absorption and reduces surface related injuries, according to district officials.
Board members are expected to approve the bid to Lindenhurst-based Kiefer Specialty Flooring in the amount of $93,865 at the next meeting.