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 North:

• A music suite addition to provide adequate space for band, orchestra, and choir
• Current classroom updates including the addition of windows where possible
• Spaces for students to congregate, collaborate, and work on their own.
• Cafeteria improvements 
• Entry ways that are safe, secure, and appropriate for student traffic

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). 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 North is over $80 million. This allocation may rise slightly over the ten-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 PTAs, boosters, principal newsletters, and the referendum community information forum at Glenbard North. 

Click to view information shared with the North Community
August 27, 2025 Newsletter Progress Update
April 11, 2025 Newsletter Community Forum
October 17, 2024 Newsletter Building Improvement Information
March 18, 2024 Referendum Highlights
March 6, 2024 Newsletter for Community Forum
   

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 North 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?

• Renovation of three science labs
• Conversion to LED lightning in the gymnasium and fieldhouse
• Construction of new varsity softball dugout and press box
• Replacement/addition of controls and valves on various HVAC equipment
• Renovation of two student washrooms in the “new addition”
     

Why are these facility improvements (addition) taking place?

Fine arts music suite addition: In 2020, Glenbard North started an orchestra program. Over the past five years, the program has increased to four different levels and close to 100 students. The fine arts music suite addition will not only address the need for additional space within the band, orchestra and choir programs, but also support much needed instrument storage and supplies.
   

What additional work will be done to the existing building? 

The existing building will see security improvements at our main entrance, and updates to classrooms, science labs and hallways, and student support access.

Opening up the main entrance with a secure vestibule would create a natural flow to the cafeteria and allow for a student commons area for students to access before school, after school and during lunches. We will relocate our student services area, which includes counselors, social workers, psychologists, etc. to be alongside our cafeteria/commons area for easier student access. 

Over the next few years, our construction upgrades will allow us to significantly increase natural light by adding windows to all exterior walls. Classrooms will also be updated with new floor tiles, lights and ceilings.