The Riverside Brookfield High School Board of Education hired a new district architect at their meeting Aug. 23, setting the stage for the final development of the long-awaited renovation plan for the high school.
Although there is no definite timeline for the planning process, Baldermann said it is possible the district could go out for a referendum to fund the renovations as early as this spring.
Wight & Company was hired by the board from a pool of about 20 applicants. In a presentation at the meeting, Bradley Paulsen, Wight’s director of K-12 educational services, said the company has been involved with major renovations projects at many local schools, including Oak Park and River Forest, York and Lemont high schools. They have also worked with the Brookfield Zoo on a now-shelved learning center project.
In a separate interview, RB Superintendent/Principal Jack Baldermann said it was the variety of experiences made Wight stand out.
“We’re potentially looking at renovating RB,” he said, “and they had the most impressive track record when it comes to renovating high schools.”
The board has been talking about such renovations for years, not only to repair the school’s antiquated and, in some cases, failing infrastructure, but also to update its educational facilities. Earlier this summer, the board estimated such a project would cost between $30-50 million.
Although Wight has officially only been hired as the district’s architect of record, Baldermann said it was likely the board would also hire the company to work with it on planning the renovations. At that point, it is expected the project will finally gain some momentum.
“I think it’s safe to say things will move quickly,” Board Vice President Nancy Chmell said.
Baldermann said the planning process would involve not only assessing the state of the school, but also gathering the opinions of all of the major stakeholders in the project, including residents. The board would use all of that information in drafting its final renovation plan.
Referendum could be around the corner
By JESSICA GLOWINSKI
The Riverside Brookfield High School Board of Education hired a new district architect at their meeting Aug. 23, setting the stage for the final development of the long-awaited renovation plan for the high school.
Although there is no definite timeline for the planning process, Baldermann said it is possible the district could go out for a referendum to fund the renovations as early as this spring.
Wight & Company was hired by the board from a pool of about 20 applicants. In a presentation at the meeting, Bradley Paulsen, Wight’s director of K-12 educational services, said the company has been involved with major renovations projects at many local schools, including Oak Park and River Forest, York and Lemont high schools. They have also worked with the Brookfield Zoo on a now-shelved learning center project.
In a separate interview, RB Superintendent/Principal Jack Baldermann said it was the variety of experiences made Wight stand out.
“We’re potentially looking at renovating RB,” he said, “and they had the most impressive track record when it comes to renovating high schools.”
The board has been talking about such renovations for years, not only to repair the school’s antiquated and, in some cases, failing infrastructure, but also to update its educational facilities. Earlier this summer, the board estimated such a project would cost between $30-50 million.
Although Wight has officially only been hired as the district’s architect of record, Baldermann said it was likely the board would also hire the company to work with it on planning the renovations. At that point, it is expected the project will finally gain some momentum.
“I think it’s safe to say things will move quickly,” Board Vice President Nancy Chmell said.
Baldermann said the planning process would involve not only assessing the state of the school, but also gathering the opinions of all of the major stakeholders in the project, including residents. The board would use all of that information in drafting its final renovation plan.
