The Naperville District 203 School Board is expected to vote later this month on nearly $7 million in school improvements as part of its proposed 2025-26 capital improvement plan.
The board also plans to enter into an agreement later this month with its architect, Wight and Co., to complete a comprehensive facility assessment that will evaluate all of its buildings’ electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection systems and other infrastructure and review its accessibility for individuals with disabilities for long-term planning purposes.
Each year, the district prepares a capital improvement plan that offers a guide on immediate and future projects.
At the board’s Monday night meeting, Melanie Brown, director of building and grounds, asked members to approve nine proposed projects when they meet again Oct. 21.
The proposed work is spread throughout the district and includes roof restoration and replacement at Naperville Central High School and Steeple Run Elementary School at a cost of $2.8 million; chiller replacements at Ellsworth and Beebe elementary schools and Washington Junior High at a cost of $1.2 million; and the first phase of auditorium electrical and rigging improvements at Naperville North High School for $750,000.
The chillers are in high need of replacement and the Steeple Run roof is one of the oldest in the district, Brown said.
Other improvements include new fire-rated doors at Naperville North, replacing the generator at Kennedy Junior High and installing new playground equipment at Meadow Glens Elementary School, she said.
The projects are chosen by conducting life safety studies, comprehensive facility studies and informal reviews on site conditions and equipment age, Brown said. Other projects are on a rotation, such as when schools receive new playgrounds, she said.
“Overall we aim to be proactive rather than reactive in equipment replacements and site improvements whenever possible,” she said.
The capital improvement projects for fiscal year 2025-26 come in at just under $7 million. The board will approve individual bid contracts throughout the year.
“We are confident that we have a pretty good plan here,” Brown said.
The district has budgeted $7 million for such work every years through the 2029-30 fiscal year. Funds come from D203’s operations and maintenance budgets.
Some of the other improvement projects tentatively planned for 2026 to 2028 include replacing the boilers at Lincoln Junior High and Naper, Ellsworth and Kingsley elementary schools, replacing galvanized pipes at Prairie, Elmwood, Maplebrook and Scott elementary schools and Lincoln Junior High, replacing the playgrounds at Prairie and Maplebrook elementary schools and at Ann Reid Early Childhood Center; replacing windows at Highlands and Meadow Glens elementary schools; and replacing the elevator at Naperville North High School.
Board approval is also being sought to use $2.8 million from its site and construction fund budget to pay for renovations to Family and Consumer Science and Project Lead the Way classrooms at Jefferson and Kennedy junior high schools.
The plan is one step in the district’s long-term planning for facility improvements.
Wight and Co. will be doing a 10-year facilities assessment plan if the board approves the $196,200 contract Oct. 21.
The last comprehensive facility assessment was completed in 2013, Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
The assessment will look at the building’s physical conditions. A structural analysis will provide information on which buildings are viable for possible solar installations, and the plan also will look at space usage to determine the need for any potential renovation or additions.
It is likely to be done prior to the fall 2025 school year, officials said.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.