Schools
Troy students, staff benefit from summer work
Infrastructure for electric buses and cars, playgrounds, technology and safety and security measures
Troy 30-C staff made good use of the summer with several projects, including laying the infrastructure for electric school buses the district is purchasing for its fleet. Troy is expecting delivery of its first bus, assembled by the Lion Electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Joliet, in October.
The school district last year contracted with a supplier to purchase what would be the largest fleet of electric school buses in the Midwest.
The electric infrastructure at Troy was also extended to 10 spaces in the William B. Orenic Intermediate School parking lot, to be used for private vehicles to recharge as drivers work or visit the school and its facilities.
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The district also began preparation for a new security system and hired a safety and security coordinator.
“We’re working on safety and security,” Superintendent Dr. Paul Schrik said. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about what we have in place, acknowledging our strengths and learning where we can add more layers.”
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Ben Hettel, Troy Facility and Operations Director, said the new wireless geolocation security system will send out instant signals to first responders and school administrators, which will provide a quicker response time to incidents.
Also over the summer, Troy received a new playground at Troy Craughwell Elementary School and a larger playground at William B. Orenic Intermediate School. Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School and Troy Hofer Elementary School received ADA-compliant sidewalks at their playgrounds.
An addition is also under construction at the district office. The boardroom will be expanded and the newly constructed addition will hold more than 100 people. The existing boardroom holds 50-75 people. The board room will be used for meetings, including for professional development, for such events as “Coffee with the Superintendent,” for the school board, and for other events.
Also over the summer, Troy’s technology team adopted a new student information platform and offered training to staff.
Hettel thanked all of the facility and operations staff for the deep cleaning and maintenance work they did over the summer to get the schools ready for another school year.
