More Cost Overruns In Elmhurst D-205 Projects

ELMHURST, IL — With the latest bids, Elmhurst School District 205 officials are expecting at least $16.7 million in cost overruns in its building projects, nearly $1 million more than a month ago.

By next week, the overruns could be approaching $19 million.

On Wednesday, members of the school board's finance committee received the new estimates from staff. Most of the added costs are the result of the expanded scope of projects since voters approved a $168 million referendum in 2019. But officials are also blaming the increased cost of materials.

Last week, the district opened bids for the Jefferson Elementary School project, which includes a media center addition and various renovations. The design estimate was $7 million, but the total of the winning bids is expected to reach $7.9 million.

The district's administration plans to present bids to the board next week for the Fischer Elementary project, which consists of a six-classroom addition and renovations. The design estimate was $8.8 million, but the district's construction manager said the bids could be as high as $10.9 million.

In previous meetings, officials said they could dip into the district's bank accounts to cover the added costs.

More than $13 million of the overruns are the result of the increased scope in projects. For instance, the board decided last year to expand the size of the new Field Elementary School to a capacity of 600 students, from the current 400 to 450.

In December, board members expressed alarm over the cost overruns. But they were advised against re-bidding, saying the higher costs reflected market conditions.

The biggest projects are the replacement of Lincoln and Field elementary schools. Lincoln started last June and is expected to be completed this summer. Field is slated to begin in June.