DeKalb School District 428 Completes $4.5 Million in Upgrades

As the summer season concluded, DeKalb School District 428 successfully completed over $4.5 million in facility upgrades, preparing for the upcoming school year. These projects, approved earlier this year by the district’s board, reflect a commitment to enhancing educational environments for students and staff.

According to Tammy Carson, the district’s director of facility and safety operations, the facility operations department has made significant strides despite challenges commonly associated with construction timelines. “A lot of delays happen with construction,” she noted. “We appreciate the patience of the teaching staff and administration for allowing us the time to prepare the buildings for our students’ return.”

This summer’s projects included essential renovations at multiple schools, which ranged from playground replacements to significant improvements in plumbing and infrastructure. Among the completed works were playground upgrades at Tyler and Littlejohn Elementary Schools, as well as toilet room renovations at Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary Schools. Additionally, the district replaced roofs at both Brooks Elementary School and Huntley Middle School/Early Learning Development Center.

Carson highlighted the importance of these upgrades, particularly the boiler replacements at Founders and Brooks Elementary Schools. “With these being completed, that leaves only the boiler at Huntley Middle School that still needs to be replaced,” she said, indicating that this project is planned for either 2026 or 2027, depending on future funding.

The playground replacements were particularly noteworthy, as many schools had been using their original playgrounds for years. “This year, we finished the rest of Littlejohn and replaced all of Tyler,” Carson explained. “We opted to create two playgrounds at Tyler, one for younger students and another for older students, similar to our other facilities.”

Beyond visible improvements, Carson emphasized the importance of less obvious upgrades that contribute to the overall functionality of the district’s buildings. “What you’re really seeing is a whole lot of work on these buildings,” she stated. “Those shiny floors don’t last forever.”

DeKalb School District Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez expressed her gratitude for the efforts of the facility operations department. “I want to thank everyone who has done such a terrific job over the summer to ensure we start the year strong,” she remarked.

The summer upgrades spanned several schools within the district, each receiving targeted improvements. Notable projects included:

Highlights of Summer Projects

Brooks Elementary School
– Roof replacement
– Large gym fan installation
– Marquee sign installation

Jefferson Elementary School
– Toilet room renovation
– Sensory room addition
– Gym ductwork replacement
– Site improvements
– Marquee sign installation

Littlejohn Elementary School
– Ceiling and lighting replacement
– New mobile classroom installation
– New classroom doors installation
– Playground replacement

Tyler Elementary School
– Playground replacement
– Large gym fan installation

Founders Elementary School
– Toilet room additions
– Boiler replacement
– Boiler flue replacement
– Site improvements
– Large gym fan installation
– New classroom doors installation
– Marquee sign installation

Lincoln Elementary School
– Toilet room renovations
– PE office/storage expansion

Huntley Middle School/Early Learning Development Center
– New office/workroom renovations
– Flooring replacement
– Roof replacement
– Site improvements
– Sealcoating/striping

DeKalb High School
– Track resurfacing
– Target room renovation (under construction)
– Sealcoating/striping

Education Center
– Parking lot replacement
– Archive room renovation

Menta Academy
– Sealcoating/striping

District-wide, the installation of water treatment equipment was also completed, ensuring the schools are equipped with the necessary facilities for a successful academic year.

As students and staff prepare to return, the improvements made across DeKalb School District 428 underscore a strong commitment to enhancing educational environments, ensuring that students benefit from modern and safe facilities.