Latest news with #Neuqua
Chicago Tribune
09-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
District 204 board approves construction manager contracts for high school renovation projects
The Indian Prairie School District 204 board on Monday approved the district's contracts with two construction management firms which will lead renovation projects at Waubonsie Valley High School, Neuqua Valley High School and the Birkett Center. Pepper Construction Company, based out of Barrington, will be overseeing the Waubonsie Valley project, while Chicago-based construction manager Bulley and Andrews will be handling renovations at Neuqua Valley and Birkett, according to the agreements included in Monday's meeting agenda. This is the latest step in the renovation and construction projects District 204 is undergoing this summer after residents in November voted in support of the district selling up to $420 million in bonds for facility improvements, according to past reporting. Alongside numerous other projects throughout the district being funded by the bond sales, Waubonsie Valley is getting a $7.6 million auditorium upgrade as part of the bond sale-funded renovations, according to past reporting. Neuqua is adding to its existing school building so it can bring freshmen back into the building in 2027, freeing up Birkett — where Neuqua freshman have been attending classes for more than 20 years — to be used for other district programming. At Birkett, the district plans to host STEPS, or Supportive Training Experiences Post-Secondary, the district's job training program for students with special needs, as well as Gail McKinzie High School, which offers a credit recovery program for students, along with other programming and a welcome center. According to a memo in Monday's meeting agenda, the board gave the green light to hire the two firms in May, and the district has since negotiated the contracts, prices and terms for both, as well as had its legal team review and approve the terms. On Monday, those contracts were approved unanimously by the board as part of the meeting's consent agenda. The architect for both projects will be Wight and Company, according to past reporting. The contract with Pepper includes overseeing the multiple-phased renovation throughout Waubonsie and renovation of its athletic stadium. Bulley and Andrews will be leading additions to Neuqua Valley's main entry and additions for new classrooms, renovations of its main hall and several wings in the school and a new synthetic turf field. At Birkett, they'll be managing the renovation of the STEPS and Gail McKinzie centers and the renovations of the welcome center, professional development, career and technical education, STEM and district storage areas.
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Neuqua Valley renovation to bring freshmen back into the building starting in 2027, Indian Prairie 204 says
A major renovation project at Indian Prairie School District 204's Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville is going to bring freshmen students back into the main high school building, according to district officials. For more than 20 years, freshman students in the district attending Neuqua have spent their school days at the Birkett Freshman Center, a separate building a little less than a mile from the main campus. But, starting in 2027, they will join their upperclassmen peers in the main building, as a result of a major renovation project happening at the high school. These plans — along with the future of the Birkett Center — were presented at the district's most recent school board meeting on June 9. Steve Shearer, an architect for Chicago-based firm Wight and Company, who is working on the district's renovation projects at Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools, said accommodating the freshmen class in Neuqua's main building was one of the top priorities for the upcoming renovation. Notably, the project will entail two significant additions to the current building – one addition to the front of the building for student and staff resources, and an addition in the back that will house primarily classrooms and science labs, Shearer said. The school will also be getting a new turf field, he noted. The current freshman center opened in 2003, said assistant principal and lead administrator at the Birkett Freshman Center David Perry. Because it will mean an additional 700 to 800 students in the main Neuqua building, he said, the renovation includes both exterior additions and interior changes to accommodate a larger student population. In the back of the building, Perry said, the school will be getting a two-story addition that will provide three additional science labs and five additional classrooms, as well as collaborative spaces and breakout rooms. The district will also be moving staff offices to the front portion of the building, Perry said, which will free up space elsewhere in the school. This portion of the building will also include faculty eating spaces, intervention program spaces and areas for counselors, social workers, the dean of students and secretary. The district is also modifying a tiered lecture hall-style room to be a flat space with varying seating options. Additionally, to increase the school's main dining space in preparation for a larger student body using it, the renovation plans include moving the current faculty lunch room and relocating several special education classrooms to other parts of the building. The renovations are set to take place during 2026 and 2027, with the freshmen class joining the rest of the high school for the 2027-28 school year, officials said. Some additional work is set to take place the following summer. Per the presentation from the district given to the board on June 9, construction is set to primarily impact the exterior of the building beginning in March 2026, leading to changes to entry into the building and some reductions in parking. In total, the upcoming renovations to Neuqua — which include the building additions, as well as a new chilling system, a renovated student foods lab and the installation of a new turf field — are projected to cost $96 million. Of that, $90 million is being funded by the district's bond issuances, which were approved by voters via referendum in 2024, according to past reporting. After voters approved a referendum question last year asking whether the district should issue $420 million in bonds for facility upgrades district-wide, the district has moved forward with securing board approval for various renovations and upgrades, some beginning work as early as this summer. The district plans to issue bonds for the facility improvements in rounds through 2029. In addition to the Neuqua project, the district also has plans for renovation projects at schools throughout the district, such as secure entryways and new playgrounds at several schools, along with a multi-million dollar auditorium upgrade at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora. The changes to Neuqua also mean the Birkett building will get some renovations of its own, as it prepares to house several district programs once it's no longer needed for freshman students. As part of a more than $20 million renovation, the district plans to bring its STEPS and Gail McKinzie programs into Birkett, according to Assistant Superintendent of High Schools Nicole Howard. STEPS, or Supportive Training Experiences Post-Secondary, is a job training program for students with special needs. Also part of the district, Gail McKinzie High School offers a credit recovery program for students. The district also intends for the building to house its Pathways program, which provides career-oriented offerings. Brian Giovanini, the district's director of innovation, said the district is planning to add several courses to that program: a Health Sciences pathway, a Capstone Culinary pathway and a Capstone Construction and Trades pathway. As it plans for renovation of the Birkett building, the district is also looking to have a welcome center for the district's community support and social service initiatives, labs for kindergarten through eighth grade STEM education and meeting and gathering spaces at the building.
Chicago Tribune
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
The future's so bright for Iowa recruit Kiyah Chavez. And Oswego's catcher keeps the sunglasses on. ‘A superstar.'
Senior catcher Kiyah Chavez definitely has her eyes on the prize for Oswego. She just doesn't want opponents — especially base runners — getting too good of a look. It's why the Iowa recruit keeps her sunglasses on come rain or shine, even if it's overcast from the haze of Canadian wildfires like it was Friday afternoon. Besides, those orange shades look good, matching perfectly with the orange lettering on her Panthers' jersey. 'Honestly, I do have a pair of Oakleys and I do like them,' Chavez said. 'But the glasses I'm wearing belong to (senior outfielder) Rhiana Martinez. I just like them. They look cooler. 'I'm pretty big about wearing my glasses because, as I'm sure you've seen, one of my favorite things to do is pick off runners. If they can see where I'm looking, it's kind of a problem.' Chavez, the area's reigning player of the year, looked and played the part Friday for Oswego in a 6-0 win over Neuqua Valley in the Class 4A Oswego East Regional championship game. Jaelynn Anthony ended up taking a no-hitter for Oswego (33-2) into the sixth inning against Neuqua (17-15), and Chavez provided a huge part of the backing with two singles and two RBIs. On top of that, Chavez threw out one runner trying to steal second base and came within an eyelash of picking off another at first. But her work in the batter's box continues to impress. 'That's what I've got in my head when I go up there to bat,' said Chavez, who raised her batting average to .555 (60-for-108) with 59 RBIs, both team highs. 'I'm thinking, 'Do your job.'' Anthony did her job with 11 strikeouts in pitching a two-hitter for the Panthers, who play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday against the host Foxes (24-12) in a Yorkville Sectional semifinal. Oswego took third in the state last season. Yorkville beat Plainfield 1-0 Friday in a regional final. 'This year, Jaelynn knows what it's about now,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said. 'Every win last year was a surprise. This year, we've been there, we've done that. 'We know what to expect and our players do, too. We're led by 10 seniors and 12 returners from last year's state run. We know what to expect and what it's going to take.' As for that pick-off throw to senior first baseman Rikka Ludvigson? 'Rikka and I have kind of a really subtle sign for when we're gonna do something,' Chavez said. 'I use it with our third basemen, too. I'll take any advantage I can get.' As for the call? 'Oh, she was out,' Chavez said. ' She was so out, totally out.' Scaramuzzi said the coaching staff felt it would be a challenge facing Neuqua and standout senior pitcher Ava Drehs, a Creighton recruit. 'We knew we'd need our small ball and we'd need clutch hits,' Scaramuzzi said. 'One through 10, we did an excellent job of executing, making the defense work by putting the ball in play.' Junior shortstop Kennedy Gengler, batting eighth, led an eight-hit attack with three singles. The Panthers, who have 50 homers and a .411 team batting average, didn't produce an extra-base hit. Five Neuqua errors, though, helped the cause as Drehs allowed just one earned run. All of that started with Chavez. 'She's a difference-maker on both sides of the ball,' Scaramuzzi said. 'Jaelynn trusts her and they're a great pair, so together they are unstoppable in my opinion.' Anthony also had four assists fielding her position. She started a double play with a force to Gengler, who then threw to Ludvigson. 'Those are key plays on defense that really shift momentum for us,' Scaramuzzi said. 'Kiyah and Rikka work well together for those picks and Kiyah, obviously, is a superstar at the plate. 'She's gonna get the job done whenever the opportunity presents itself.'
Chicago Tribune
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Known for his pitching, West Aurora's Zach Toma takes his hitting to whole nother level. ‘Just feeling confident.'
West Aurora's Zach Toma is best known for his pitching, and rightfully so. The junior left-hander has been one of the area's breakout stars this season. What casual observers may not realize is he has also become the Blackhawks' leading hitter this spring. So, bring on the spotlight in the batter's box. 'I really wanted to be the guy up in that situation,' Toma said. 'I felt like I was seeing the ball really well, and I kind of felt like he was going to throw me a curveball in that situation. 'I got it and didn't miss it.' Indeed, Toma's two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday was the difference in a 5-3 victory over Neuqua Valley in a Class 4A Waubonsie Valley Regional semifinal in Aurora. Toma also settled in on the mound after his big hit and finished off a complete-game win for the Blackhawks (27-7), who will play at 11 a.m. Saturday for the regional title against the semifinal winner between Naperville Central (19-11) and Waubonsie Valley (14-12). While Toma struck out six and allowed three runs, two earned, on three his and two walks, Braiden Williams came through with a pinch-hit, two-run single in the fourth to tie the game. Henry Hinkle and Eliseo Liscano added two hits apiece for West Aurora. Colton Maita doubled and scored for Neuqua (13-17-1). But the big double by Toma loomed large in the end. 'I expected it out of him,' West Aurora coach John Reeves said. 'He's been great with the bat in his hands. He can do it both ways, on the mound and at the plate.' That's true on both accounts. Offensively, Toma leads the team with 46 RBIs. As far as the pitching part of the equation goes, Toma improved his record to 7-2 with a 1.07 ERA. Reeves credited a program-wide mandate to increase time in the weight room as helping with that process. Mason Atkins and Toma, two football players, took it to heart the most. 'They spent a lot of time in the weight room, which I think shows,' Reeves said. 'Especially with guys like Mason and Zach.' Toma cited several factors for his offensive breakout, including switching travel teams and reworking his swing. The biggest factor, he agreed, came in the weight room. 'The strength part of it especially, we lift all the time,' Toma said. 'We lift in season. In past years, I haven't lifted in season. This year, that's been a huge difference-maker with my strength. 'Just feeling confident up there. Our coaches pushed the whole team into the weight room. And then Mason, he's always getting on me about lifting after practice, so it helps.' Toma's offense was needed after he got off to an uncharacteristically shaky start on the mound. Through 3 1/3 innings Wednesday, he trailed 3-1. He retired the final two batters of the fourth to get out of a jam, however. After his double, he retired Neuqua's final nine hitters in order. 'The beginning of the game, I wasn't getting that first-pitch strike down,' Toma said. 'Then toward the end, I really started to get that pitch down. 'Getting that first-pitch strike is huge, man. Then you have every pitch in your arsenal to throw.' Toma's heroics were set up by Williams' clutch hit, which helped the Blackhawks catch their collective breath. 'It felt really good to help the team out and win this game,' Williams said. 'That just raised our confidence and helped us.' It's always nerve-racking to be in a close game in a one-and-done scenario, but Toma was unfazed. He hopes that paves the way to the program's first regional title since 2006. 'It got me nervous a little bit, but to be honest, we had so much time left and I have a lot of confidence in our hitters,' Toma said. 'I knew we'd come through and scrap out some runs.'
Chicago Tribune
09-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
District 204 school board OKs nearly $1 million renovation of Foods Lab at Neuqua Valley High School
At its meeting Monday, the Indian Prairie School District 204 board OK'd another summer renovation project, this one at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. The project is a renovation of Neuqua's Foods Lab, per Monday's meeting agenda. The district's architect, STR Partners, bid the project and received five bids from contractors, the agenda said. The district decided on the lowest responsible bidder: Construction, Inc., from Lombard. The project is estimated to cost $944,000, per Monday's meeting agenda. The Foods Lab at Neuqua is used for a Career Technical Education course that teaches culinary arts, baking and knife skills, career development and the experience of running a restaurant, the district's director of building operations John Robinson told The Beacon-News in an email on Wednesday. The renovations will include building six teaching stations in the lab's two classrooms, along with new cooking equipment, sinks and disposals, lighting, ventilation and exhaust and other room renovations, officials said. The Foods Lab renovation adds to the growing number of summer projects set to be completed over the summer to update the district's facilities. In early February, the board approved $3 million in flooring replacements, about $2.1 million in paving work, just under $1.5 million in roofing and gutter repairs and about $600,000 to install four new playgrounds at various schools in the district, according to past reporting. In March, the board OK'd another $15.5 million in capital projects, which include constructing secure entryways at 11 elementary schools, replacing lighting systems with LED fixtures at several schools to improve energy efficiency and installing remote access at 22 schools that would allow school personnel to check the status of the schools' HVAC systems remotely. Later in March, the board also gave the green light to a $7.6 million renovation project for Waubonsie Valley High School's auditorium – a project that will include new seats, house lights, theater lights, sound systems, flooring and other renovations, district officials have previously said. It will also include aesthetics upgrades and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades that will bring the building up to code, officials have previously said. The district is pursuing significant facilities upgrades as a result of the successful passage of a $420 million bond sale referendum by voters last November. The funds generated by the district's bond sales can only go toward capital projects, not day-to-day operating expenses, according to past reporting. For the projects taking place over the summer and into next fall, the district intends to spend around $40 million across this fiscal year and the next, the district's chief school business official Matthew Shipley has previously said. The $420 million in bonds are set to be issued through 2029 to fund projects through 2032, according to past reporting, and bond payments are expected to continue for 12 to 15 years after all the projects are completed.
