Transforming Schools: Indian Prairie's $420M Bond Proposal Aims to Enhance Safety and InfrastructureIndian Prairie School District 204 is considering a significant investment in building and maintenance projects, contingent on voter approval of a $420 million bond issue in the November general election. The proposed bond would fund critical safety and infrastructure needs without resulting in a net tax increase, as it would replace an expiring tax rate. If approved, the district plans to spend around $40 million on these projects over the summer of 2025. However, if the bond proposal is rejected, the district would scale back its efforts, focusing only on the highest priority needs and spending just $10 million.

Securing the Future: Prioritizing Safety and Infrastructure Upgrades

Enhancing School Security

The district's top priority with the bond funds, if approved, would be to allocate $10 million towards safety and security improvements. This includes the installation of secure entryways, known as "secure vestibules," in schools across the district. These vestibules would ensure that every school has a single, secure entrance where visitors must first interact with the main office before gaining access to the school. Additionally, the funds would accelerate an existing program to replace exterior doors and locks with more secure options. Without the bond approval, the door and lock replacement program would still be funded, but the secure vestibule project would not be implemented.

Modernizing Infrastructure

If the bond issue is approved, the district plans to invest $8.8 million in infrastructure projects. The majority of these funds would go towards flooring replacement, particularly in elementary schools, with the goal of replacing flooring in all elementary schools by the end of summer 2026. The remaining funds would be allocated to asphalt and paving improvements, as well as roof replacements. However, without the bond approval, infrastructure projects would be scaled back, with only $3.5 million in funding available.

Enhancing Learning Environments

The district also intends to use $1.7 million in bond funds, if approved, for learning environment improvements. The majority of these funds would go towards work on four elementary school playgrounds, with the remainder allocated to classroom improvements. If the bond issue is not approved, only three playgrounds would see improvements, and the budget for learning environment enhancements would be reduced to $700,000.

Improving Operational Efficiency

Regardless of whether the bond issue is approved, the district plans to invest in improving operational efficiency. With the bond approval, the district would allocate $14.5 million to phase one of a plan to replace all district-wide lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which would save the district an estimated $1 million per year. Additionally, the funds would be used to replace heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units and chillers. Without the bond approval, the district would still spend $5.5 million on HVAC and chiller replacements, but the LED lighting project would not be undertaken.

Renovating Waubonsie Valley High School

The remaining $5 million of the bond funds, if approved, would be dedicated to upgrading the auditorium at Waubonsie Valley High School. This would be the first phase of a larger plan to completely renovate the school. Other schools, such as Hill and Gregory middle schools, also require significant renovations to bring them up to the district's standards, and design work for these projects would also begin in summer 2025 if the bonds are approved. Without the bond approval, the district would not have the funds to undertake these renovations.The Indian Prairie School District's bond proposal represents a comprehensive plan to address critical safety, infrastructure, and learning environment needs across the district. By investing in these areas, the district aims to create safer, more modern, and more efficient schools that support the educational success of its students. The outcome of the November election will determine the scope and timeline of these essential improvements.