Illinois School Renovation Focuses on Security

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — While construction at Naperville Central High School continues, two renovation projects at Prairie and Ranch View elementary schools are planned for the summer, focusing on better security at the main entrances.
 

Plans at Prairie Elementary, where the main office is tucked inside the center of the building, include building a small addition that will allow for increased visibility of everyone entering and exiting the building.

 

At Ranch View, rather than building an addition, officials deemed the best security option as relocating several kindergarten classrooms and a music room.

The changes will also allow for better natural light in the rooms and better views of the outside surroundings.

 

The facility improvements are funded by a referendum passed in Feb. 2008, approved by 59 percent of voters, with an initial allocation of $0.7 million for these two projects and modifications at Washington Junior High.

 

Concerns for increased safety stem from a 1988 incident in Winnetka, Ill. where 30-year-old Laurie Dann entered a school and killed one boy and injuring others before fleeing and committing suicide.

 

The projects will go out for bids early in the year and the work is expected to take place over the summer. Construction is expected to be completed when school opens in August.

 

The elementary school renovations are the last two of the $43 million of referendum projects.

 

Also in the district, students at Naperville Central High School will start the new year with some new facilities now that construction on their music department is complete.

 

Work continues on the school’s north addition, which is scheduled to be completed in the spring.

 

Renovations on the “flat wing” — located adjacent to the band area and to the west of the administration area — will be reconstructed over the summer. The heating and cooling system will also be renovated.