District 57 outlines Lincoln Middle School timeline, pre-purchases transformer for Westbrook addition

Mount Prospect School District 57 administrators gave a construction update June 18, saying planning for Lincoln Middle School’s renovation and for a Westbrook addition is proceeding and that a transformer for Westbrook will be pre-bid and pre-purchased because of long vendor lead times.

Mary (district administrator) told the board that plans for Lincoln should be finalized by July, with construction documents expected to go out to bid in August and bid awards returned to the board in September. The district plans to break ground in the fall; administrators said they expect construction to span roughly two years and that the district is planning mitigation measures to limit school disruption during work.

Jason (facilities/operations lead) told the board that the Westbrook addition will require relocation of an on-site transformer currently inside a planned courtyard. He said the district’s vendors warned that transformer lead times are long, so the district intends to pre-bid and pre-purchase the unit now so it will be on site before major construction begins. Jason said a pre-bid meeting is scheduled in July and that formal bid openings will follow; he will bring recommended awards to the board for approval.

Administrators said Westbrook construction is likely to start next summer with completion targeted for August 2027. To reduce traffic problems during Lincoln construction, Lincoln families will be eligible for reduced-price busing; the administration said it has met with the village, police and fire departments and will continue to coordinate traffic and safety plans. Mary said the district is developing worst-case plans for recess, physical education and extracurricular activities and will communicate detailed logistics to families as construction approaches.

Board members asked about recess and outdoor time; administrators said they are planning for multiple scenarios and will refine plans once fence locations and construction phasing are finalized. Officials said they will monitor conditions and adjust plans as needed while prioritizing student safety and minimizing instructional disruption.