Eldorado school board pares down building improvement needs
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Eldorado's school district could have a chance at interest free bond issues for improvements to the three school buildings for the sake of health, life and safety of students.
A bill for the free interest bonds -- funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- has passed the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate and awaits approval by Governor Pat Quinn.
The board took no action on prioritizing Health/Life/Safety projects, but took recommendations from Superintendent Gary Siebert compiled through his discussions with Ed Kerkhover of Kerkhover + Studio + Architects, Inc.
That list included at Eldorado Elementary School replacing roof E, an addition to the original building installed in 1991 at a cost of $162,662; removal of skylights on roof E at a cost of $6,048 and replacing drip pans on air handling units at a cost of $1,200.
At the Middle School the list involves replacing the deteriorated sidewalk below the front entrance steps at a cost of $2,381, replacing the roof over the boiler room at a cost of $9,000, repairing the heating unit in the gymnasium at a cost of $600, repairing the banister to the stage at a cost of $100 and replacement of electrical distribution panels throughout the building at a cost of $32,280.
The High School's Westbrook Gym list involves the replacement of deteriorated masonry at the entrance, the walls and new entrance doors at a cost of $25,200; removal of abandoned electrical wiring and conduit at a cost of $6,144; removal of windows and installation of masonry in the openings at a cost of $9,984; and painting the interior of the gym at a cost of $20,850.
Board member Keith Oglesby suggested tearing down the Westbrook Gym and building new. Kerkhover, considering the likely need for asbestos abatement, gave a rough estimate that idea could cost around $780,000.
The list at Duff-Kingston Gym includes replacing the ceiling in the corridor in front of the locker rooms and coaches offices at a cost of $5,568. Replacment of concrete and a handicapped ramp at the main interest has been completed at a cost of $19,512 and the replacement of chair seats has been completed at a cost of $119,592.
The list for the agriculture, vocational and band building includes installation of metal siding on balance of the exterior of the building at a cost of $36,752 and replacing the overhead doors on the shop area at a cost of $21,432.
At the High School the only repair is to the stair nosings at the exterior main entrance steps at a cost of $7,098.
n DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.