School district considering facility improvements
By DENNIS HINES
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dhines@shawsuburban.com
SYCAMORE – Sycamore School District officials could have an enhanced facility to conduct their operations in the near future.
District officials plan to have various improvement projects completed at the administrative building. The project is set to include new windows, a new boiler and an improved security system. District officials also plan to have a larger room for the Sycamore School Board meeting.
Representatives from FGM Architects in Oak Brook presented two options for renovating the facility during Tuesday evening’s school board meeting. The first option included moving the board room to an area which was once used as a gymnasium when the building was an elementary school. The option also would include an elevator that would provide access to each floor of the building.
A second option includes moving the board room to the rear middle section of the second floor, which is currently used for office space. The former gymnasium would then be used for cubical work space.
“It basically recreates the office space that was upstairs,” said Jim Woods of FGM Architects.
Jim Dombek, school board president, said the renovation project would provide more space for the school board meetings and would allow more residents to attend. Dombek said the board room has been in need of more space for several years.
“Even 10 years ago, when a series of major issues arose over the course of several meetings, we just had people filling the hallways,” Dombek said.
School board member Dannie Stanbery said, even though more space is needed for the board meetings he would like other issues regarding the building to be addressed first, such as tuck pointing, installing new windows and establishing a more secure entrance. Jeff Jacobson, school board member, said he feels the district should hold off on the project until the economy improves.
“I think we would be much better holding this off until we have a better economic climate,” Jacobson said.
Luke Glowiak, assistant superintendent of business, said the administration building is in a good location, but it does need to be renovated.
“It’s a good building. It’s very structurally sound,” Glowiak said. “It needs to be tuck pointed. We need to have the boiler system and the entire climate control system addressed. It needs new windows.”
Members of the school board are set to discuss the issue again during a future meeting. Woods said he will have cost estimates for both options in the future. Dombek said he will have a better idea of which option to support, once he knows the costs.
“I like both options, but I would like to see the costs,” Dombek said.
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