The B-PC School District has about $2 million in liquid capital funds, generated by the Illinois one percent sales tax, to invest in infrastructure improvements. This month, the school board met to discuss potential projects and priorities for those funds.
Superintendent Bob Gound highlighted several urgent needs. The high school’s sewer line, which connects to the city system, may have broken tiles causing problems and requires repairs. Additionally, one of the high school boilers is in poor condition, forcing the district to decide whether to repair the existing boilers or replace them entirely.
Another concern is the elementary school’s 30-foot brick chimney, which vents the boiler. During certain times of the year, condensation forms inside the chimney as warm air rises through the cold exterior air, causing water to leak into the building.
Gound said, “Any time we have water leaking into a building, it’s not a healthy situation. That needs to be addressed through repairs to the chimney and the roof.”
Other projects under consideration include resurfacing the school parking lots, repairing or replacing garage doors on the crow’s nest, and repainting discolored brick on the high school façade.
Gound clarified that the capital funds cannot be used for routine maintenance or personnel costs and are currently not invested. Board members also discussed installing new handrails in the gym, replacing the intercom systems at both schools, and adding air quality sensors to improve student health and safety.
“I think it’s good for us to dream big and come up with as many ideas as we can, then narrow those down to manageable projects,” Gound said.
