The District 205 School Board is taking steps towards breaking ground on the building improvement plans at Monday night’s meeting.
A letter of intent from Russell Construction will be considered by board members to provide construction management services for the district’s upcoming construction plans.
In order to move forward with Russell Construction, the state will have to approve the use of the Life Safety Funds for the Building Replacement Program as well as successfully negotiate the Master Agreement between the district and the construction firm.
Additionally, the board of education will consider approving the resolutions for approving nearly $39.7 million dollars in Life Safety Bonds.
According to board documents, the district will be levying at least $3.25 million dollars towards paying off the bond each year through the 2037 tax year.
Board members will also consider a three-year contract for transportation services.
Board documents indicate that First Student is being recommended, despite a nearly 7.6 percent increase in costs going into next year.
That still puts First Student’s prices below the other two bidders, Durham School Services, and Illinois Central.
This year, transportation costs were at nearly $1.78 million dollars, and should the board choose to stay with First Student, the costs looks to increase to nearly $1.915 million.
While those costs are high, the other two bidders were even higher. Durham’s cost in the first year would be $1.985 million while Durham’s would be almost $1.916 million.
The bid from First Student indicates that costs in transportation are expected to be over $2.03 million by the 2021-22 school year.
The District 205 School Board goes into an open meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the district offices on Harrison Street.
