Big Projects In Elmhurst Schools, But Not As Noticeable

ELMHURST, IL – For the first half of the decade, Elmhurst School District 205 undertook major projects, including the replacement of two schools.

Their completion was often marked by ribbon-cutting ceremonies with elected officials on hand.

Those days are over.

In 2025, the last of those projects – the renovation of the Madison Early Childhood Education Center – got done.

Now, the work is more routine, involving the bones of existing buildings.

This summer, the district plans to spend $4.5 million on replacing roofs at Churchville and Bryan middle schools. And over the next couple of summers, the district is expected to spend nearly $4 million on new chillers at all three middle schools.

Other work this summer includes the replacement of boilers at Edison and Jackson elementaries, new classroom flooring at Bryan and Emerson Elementary, new cafeteria tables at Fischer Elementary and York High, restroom updates at Jefferson and Emerson elementaries, and lighting and ceiling updates at Churchville.

Another project is a fence at Edison's playground. Now, the playground is not completely enclosed.

Officials also plan to replace egress doors across the district.

"Some of these are just failing," Brent Braski, the district's facilities director, told the school board this week. "It's just due to the age of buildings."

Officials said the new doors would make schools more secure and energy efficient.

None of the listed projects include Lincoln or Field elementary schools, which were replaced in the last few years.