After a summer of heavy construction across Indian Prairie School District 204, it’s all hands on deck for the next ten days leading up to the first bell ring on Monday, August 17.
“The buildings are going to be ready,” said Superintendent Dr. John Price, adding that hundreds of construction crew workers and dozens of subcontractors are working together to get the job done. “They’ll be working through the weekend to make sure everything is just right for our students and our staff on day one.”
Beginning in the spring, the district added secure vestibules at the entrances of 11 elementary and middle schools, in addition to renovating numerous offices, installing fresh flooring and lighting, and constructing new playgrounds.
High schools a high priority
But the bulk of the work is at two of the district’s three high schools: Neuqua Valley, and Indian Prairie’s oldest building, Waubonsie Valley.
“Many of the key building systems had reached end of life, so there was a need to do mechanical and structural repairs to the building to begin with, and that really opened up the opportunity to reinvision the space as well,” said Matt Shipley, chief school business official for IPSD204.
As part of that reenvisioning, Waubonsie is adding extra classrooms, starting with the new Technology and Engineering Education suite.
“Talking about preparing our students for the careers of the future, ensuring that our classrooms are meeting the needs of the students and what they want to learn, this was a high-priority space for us,” said Shipley.
Both Waubonsie and Neuqua will have new cafeterias, each featuring a central skylight. Waubonsie’s won’t be ready until students return from winter break, so students will be eating in the Fieldhouse for the time being. Meanwhile at Neuqua, crews are putting on the finishing touches and unpacking chairs and tables for its cafeteria.
Neuqua Valley additions
Also at Neuqua, construction is underway on a new wing that will connect the two sides of the school in the back – with an additional hallway, four new science labs, and four more classrooms – which will also form a courtyard.
Crews are also adding new stairwells, as well as extending the front of the campus with additional counseling and student spaces. The add-ons will accommodate some 800 additional students, making room for freshmen to rejoin their older peers in the 2027 school year rather than attend the neighboring Birkett Center, which has served as a freshman-only campus since 2003.
“Having them all under one roof means we’ve got a more efficient operation,” said Dr. Price. “Also, those freshmen have easy access to everything the school has to offer, the pool, all of the gyms and all of the classrooms.”
Fresh fields
All three District 204 high schools – including Metea Valley – are wrapping up work on new stadium scoreboards and synthetic turf, with Waubonsie Valley also getting new bleachers and concession stands.
“Now we have a field that is surfaced that if we’re playing on it Friday night, we can be right back on it Saturday morning,” said Shipley. “We can be hosting PE classes on it throughout the school day. Our marching bands and performing arts can use it for concerts and practices so it really makes the space so much more dynamic.”
Funding for the improvements
These capital improvements come with a $125-million price tag and are part of a bigger, $420-million project, which the district is calling a Safer, Stronger 204. According to Dr. Price, all 35 schools will see some sort of safety, security and/or infrastructure improvements in the next three to four years. All expenses will be paid for with a bond approved by taxpayers via a referendum in late 2024.
“It shows their commitment to our schools and to our children, putting kids first in Indian Prairie, and so we’re incredibly grateful for this generational opportunity,” Dr. Price said of those who voted in favor of the referendum.
As students return to class, construction at Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley High Schools will continue throughout the year with measures in place to keep students and staff safe, such as temporary walls put up to block off active construction taking place.
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