District 200 OKs First Phase Of Master Facilities Plan

OAK PARK, IL --- All systems are go for the first phase of Oak Park-River Forest District 200's largest master facilities plan in 50 years to move forward, according to a press release from the district. The initial project, which is estimated to cost more than $32 million from the district's existing cash reserves, will include establishing all-gender restrooms, adding an ADA-accessible elevator, and renovating classrooms and other parts of the school.

District officials noted that since funds for the initial phase of the master facilities project would come from existing reserves, homeowners would not face a property tax increase. This funding source will also allow District 200 to remain "debt-free," officials said.

In the first phase of construction, priority will be given to the district's Special Education TEAM (Transitional Education with Access to the Mainstream) program. These include a sensory room and an ADA-compliant restroom.

Other priority items were based on "what would have a significant and immediate positive impact on students while also taking into consideration the District’s financial uncertainties, previous Board discussions, the significant size and scope of urgent needs, and community input," district officials said.

"Project One," as the first phase is called, will also tackle improvements to or the construction of 76 classrooms for general education, three science labs, and a daycare facility.

The school board will also move forward with proposing funding for another phase to tackle other "urgent building needs." Among these are replacing the swimming pool and adding an ADA-compliant elevator on the building's south end. The board was given a deadline of May 2020 for this part of the master facilities plan.

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