Roosevelt Middle School Involves Stakeholders in Exterior Renovation Plans

River Forest District 90's Board of Education is moving forward as scheduled with an Action Plan it adopted on April 25 for the Roosevelt Middle School Exterior Renovation Project.

An updated set of drawings and budget estimates was reviewed by the Board at its August 19 meeting.  The Roosevelt Exterior Project Planning Committee, which includes Roosevelt faculty, staff, and parent representatives, has continued to provide feedback. Board members and District administrators met on August 21 with representatives of stakeholder organizations, who reviewed the draft plans and shared additional comments, concerns, and suggestions. The meeting included the River Forest Public Library, River Forest Park District, River Forest Tennis Club, and the Village of River Forest. Additional key stakeholders, including local residents and other invested community members, have been invited to meet with Board members and District administrators on September 24 to discuss plan revisions and provide their input.

"While it is our goal to come to resolution on this project by the end of the calendar year, the Board will take whatever time is necessary to ensure that the best interests of Roosevelt's students and the community are fully considered," said Board President Patrick Meyer.

The revised plans presented to the Board on August 19 represented a $313,000 cost reduction from plans that were reviewed in May. Some of the major changes that resulted in the lower costs were changing new walks from pavers to concrete, reducing the quality of fencing to the minimum required by Village ordinance, eliminating a Rain Garden and replacing it with an underground stormwater catch basin, and other reductions and eliminations of proposed project elements.

The District has posted all plans and activities related to the project on its website at district90.org, including updated drawings and budget estimates.