Board approves athletic‑field master plan and a tuckpointing change order after brick findings

The District 207 Board of Education approved two facilities actions from its buildings and grounds committee: a master‑planning contract for high‑school athletic fields and a change order to address additional brick replacement discovered during summer tuckpointing work.

The district recommended Wright & Company develop a master plan for existing athletic fields at each high school for a total scope of services costing $47,000; Wright will interview district leadership, prepare up to three concepts per school and follow a stakeholder review process similar to the earlier referendum planning. The board approved that contract and staff said the master plan will seek to maximize green space and align with facility goals.

Separately, tuckpointing work at Main South Spectrum and the field house found more brick units requiring replacement than the contract allowance covered. The administration requested a change order for the additional brick work; the additional cost reported to the board was $46,638 to cover the excess replacements. Staff emphasized that the original bid included a per‑unit brick replacement price and the change order follows that pre‑bidded rate.

During public comment, Erin Stojakovich, president of the Maid South Baseball Boosters, urged the district to include short‑term safety fixes to fields and to ensure baseball has a role in the exterior renovations; administration said it is working with the booster group to address immediate safety needs while the master plan covers long‑term work.

Both items passed by roll call.