The West Aurora School District board has approved improvement projects to be done over the summer at a number of schools.
The school board Monday night awarded contracts for interior door and exterior window replacement at Freeman Elementary, Smith Elementary, Hope D. Wall Learning Center and Washington Middle School.
There were five bidders for the work, according to board documents. Studio GC Architecture and Design recommended the contract for the work at the four schools be awarded to the lowest bidder, Alsip-based Construction Solutions, for $3.2 million.
West Aurora Capital Projects Manager Pat Dacy at the board’s Jan. 22 meeting was asked if all the work would get done in the summer.
“We are hoping,” Dacy told the board. “Availability of materials is the question mark with all of the aluminum window frames. It seems the marketplace is stabilized and more predictable now.”
Construction Solutions is the same firm previously awarded the work this coming summer for projects at Hall, McCleery, Nicholson and Schneider elementary schools at a cost of $2.7 million.
School board members this week were also presented with recommendations for approximately $6.9 million in proposed work at West Aurora High School, including interior door and exterior window replacements.
The proposed work includes renovation of three classrooms as well, including a culinary arts classroom and a fashion/interior design classroom, plus the renovation of a classroom on the second floor of the school.
Other items in the bid specifications include concrete replacement at the high school loading dock and replacement of an existing freight elevator at the school.
Five construction firms bid on the work at the high school. The board vote to award the contract to the lowest bidder will be taken Feb. 20.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.