NSSD-112 Hires New Architecture Firm

From NSSD112: Tonight, the North Shore School District 112 (NSSD112) Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of Wight & Company as the District’s new architect effective immediately. The hiring of the new firm is one of the major elements of the Board’s Strategic Vision and will play a key role in a comprehensive long-term planning process for District 112.

“A measure of success for any organization is the strength of the team you have in place both internally and the organizations that you choose to partner with. I commend the selection committee and Board of Education for making an inspired choice by selecting Wight & Company,” said incoming North Shore School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld. “Wight & Company will begin work immediately with District 112 and I am extremely excited to work with them when I take office on July 1.”

For more than 75 years, Chicago-based Wight & Company has worked with clients to design and build exceptional, enduring buildings and spaces. The company prides itself on creating spaces where students are provided the educational environment that allows them to succeed and thrive. Recently completed projects include a new state-of-the-art school for Sunset Ridge School District 29, transformative projects at New Trier Township High School Winnetka Campus and Adlai E. Stevenson High School, renovation of Lake Bluff Middle School, and the design of several early childhood learning environments.

Wight & Company was selected after two extensive rounds of interviews with nearly 20 firms coordinated by the District’s Business Services and Operations Department. After an initial round of interviews, six finalists presented to a selection committee that included, among others, incoming superintendent Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, Co-Interim Superintendent Dr. Jane Westerhold, Board members Art Kessler and Yumi Ross, as well as two community members Mary Cavanaugh and Walter Hainsfurther, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in the architectural field.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Board of Education, Dr. Lubelfeld, and the community to translate their educational vision into learning environments that will benefit the children of School District 112,” said Bradley A. Paulsen, AIA, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Development and PK-12 Education Practice Leader for Wight & Company. “Our experience working on these types of endeavors aligns well with the Strategic Vision outlined by the Board. We look forward sharing our expertise and experiences to lead to a successful process.”

Wight & Company will begin its tenure with NSSD112 by conducting a district-wide facilities assessment beginning immediately and leading into the summer. This new assessment will provide the District with a much-needed update of the condition of its facilities and the resources necessary in the years ahead to maintain and modernize its buildings. The assessment is slated for completion in the fall of 2018 and will lead to the development of a Long-range Facilities Plan (LRFP). The LRFP will be used to guide future decision making for District 112 facilities to ensure the best possible learning environment for students.

“This board is excited to have Wight & Company use their expertise and perspective to ensure our educational environments are modernized while optimizing our resources and respecting our community values,” said North Shore School District 112 Board of Education President, Eric Ephraim. “We also appreciate the work of the selection committee, in particular, our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Christopher Wildman for leading a highly successful process.”

Image Via NSSD 112