The Board of Education and Administration of Chicago Heights School District 170 recently conducted community meetings at Grant and Jefferson Schools to announce upcoming renovation projects that will begin at those buildings during summer, 2019.
The improvement projects at the schools will include repairing or replacing roofs, updating or installing new heating and air-conditioning units, assessing and addressing necessary changes to each building's windows, wiring, lighting, doors, restroom facilities, and kitchens, and installing generators as emergency power sources for the buildings.
"We are undertaking these projects as part of our district's on-going commitment to providing our students and staff with a safe and comfortable learning environment," said Superintendent Tom Amadio.
The activities to improve the school buildings will be underwritten through funds that the district received as part of a Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from the U. S. Department of the Treasury allowing schools to secure funding at a nominal zero percent rate for the construction, rehabilitation, repair, and equipping of schools.
In securing the funds for the project, the district benefitted from the inestimable assistance of Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez.
"The QSCB grant has provided a tremendous opportunity to fund the construction and renovations at District 170 and will benefit the city in attracting and retaining young families seeking a quality education for their children," Gonzalez said.