When did Glenbard D87 begin its 10-year facility master planning process?

Our facility planning process started in June of 2023, when our district brought together staff, students, parents, and community members for the first of many meetings to discuss our current facilities and determine what might need to be addressed in the next ten years. 

During this process, we identified and prioritized needs for Glenbard South: 

Safety and security

• Upgrades are needed to safety and security systems and entrances to keep up with today’s best practices.

Classroom and science lab improvements

• Add windows and replace lighting and flooring where needed.
• Align classroom design with current best practices in curriculum and instruction.
• Upgrade out-of-date science labs.

Infrastructure

• Glenbard South is more than 50 years old. When crucial infrastructure ages and becomes inefficient, operating costs increase, taking money away from instructional priorities.
• Upgrade and renovate the building infrastructure, where needed – including items like roofs, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems.

Overcrowding

• Upgrade cafeteria space to eliminate overcrowding and provide flexible learning and program spaces.

Access to student support services

• Relocate/reorganize common areas to increase accessibility for student support services such as social workers and counselors.

Community engagement meetings continued throughout the fall of 2023. In an effort to get additional feedback on our facility planning, a survey was sent to community members, as well as Glenbard staff, students, and families in October of that year. At their November meetings, the Board of Education reviewed the results of the community engagement meetings and survey. On December 11th, 2023, the Board of Education authorized the administration to proceed with a referendum in March 2024 to assist in funding Glenbard District 87’s Ten-Year Facility Master Plan. You can find links to recordings of these meetings here.

How are the facility improvements being funded?

The District went through a process of creating a new master facility plan in 2023. The original plan identified over $385 million of improvements for the District’s facilities covering more than 1.6 million square feet of space. This list was prioritized and eventually reduced to a need of $312 million over a ten-year span (2024-2034). We anticipate that the actual amount available to spend will be closer to $341 million based on the use of interest income from bond proceeds and the likelihood that actual bid results will come in below current estimates.

District administration recommended the use of operating funds totaling $129 million over the ten-year plan. The remainder is being funded by a $183 million referendum, which was approved in the spring of 2024. Consistent with our communication plan prior to the referendum, each school is receiving a share of the $312 million allocation proportional to its student population. 

The amount budgeted for facility improvements at Glenbard South is over $51 million. This allocation may rise slightly over the 10-year period as we have budgeted conservatively on both the expense and revenue sides. We anticipate that the actual amount available to spend will be closer to $341 million based on the use of interest income from bond proceeds and the likelihood that actual bid results will come in below current estimates.

How was information about the referendum communicated?

In preparation for the referendum, District 87 shared information with the community through multiple channels. This included community newsletters, informational mailers to residents, and a dedicated section on our website featuring text and video summaries of school needs, along with video recordings of Board of Education presentations. In addition, referendum details were shared through PTA meetings, boosters, principal’s newsletters, the referendum forum at Glenbard South, and community forum update meetings.

How are/were contracts awarded for the work?

Wold architects were selected as Glenbard 87’s architect of record following a competitive process called a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) which was approved in March 2023. The RFQ process is distinguished from a competitive bid because we are not allowed to make our selection based on the cost of service, but rather the qualifications of the firms and the best fit for our District. This process is required for Illinois school districts per Illinois School Code.

Gilbane was selected as our Construction Manager in June 2024 following the same competitive RFQ process utilized with our architect selection. Gilbane is charged with overall project management, cost estimation and is responsible for packaging and developing a list of qualified subcontractors to bid on the specified scopes of work through the public bidding process. Subcontracts are awarded based on the lowest qualified bid. While Gilbane manages the bidding process and makes the recommendation for award following a public bid opening, the Board of Education has the final say and approves each individual bid package prior to the work being done. Glenbard South recently completed summer 2025 projects utilizing the process described above.

Note that Gilbane is not responsible for bidding mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection work. These services are handled through Performance Services which conducts work under the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) provision. They handle the bids directly as the work being performed generates operational savings that in the long-term helps to pay for the improvements being made.

What improvement upgrades were completed during summer 2025?

• New roof and solar preparation
• West-facing tower window installation
• Field prep for new tennis courts (east side of main building)
• Gym and fieldhouse lighting upgrades
• Main gym bleacher replacement
• Softball and baseball dugout replacement
• Electrical switchgear completion

What additional work will be done to the existing building?

• Solar panel installation
• Main gym floor replacement
• Auditorium lighting improvements
• Window installation to classrooms on north and south sides of the tower
• Classroom, facility, and hallway improvements for all tower spaces
• Commons improvements and reorganization to facilitate connection with student services

When will construction begin, and when is it expected to be completed?

Construction at Glenbard South began in Spring 2025. The majority of construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2028.