West Cook News

Despite the COIVD-19 pandemic, Oak Park and River Forest High School's campus renovation project was approved by school board members. 

The $32.6 million renovation will begin this summer, according to the Chicago Tribune. Project 1 of the renovation will consist of the main entrance, welcome center, student commons, cafeteria and a student resource center. 

While administrators suggested pausing the renovation, board members continued forward with it. 

“I don’t think this is a can we should kick down the road,” Board member Craig Iseli told the Tribune. “We kind of owe that to our students. We have momentum here and we need to keep going. I understand there’s financial risks and a ton of unknowns, but in a year, I don’t think I’m going to be any better off to make this decision than now.” 

Rob Grossi, the school board's financial consultant, said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expecting a $2.7 billion shortfall in fiscal year 2020's budget and a $7.4 billion shortfall for 2021. This means schools could lose funding. 

If Illinois cuts evidence-based funding for schools, Grossi told the Tribune that Oak Park and River Forest High Shcool could lose $3.754 million a year. 

“The district has done a good job of putting itself in a good financial position and spending within its means, but there could potentially be some challenging times ahead” Grossi said. He added that if funding is cut and the school proceeds with the renovation, the school's reserves would be gone by 2025. 

“It’s a lot of speculation, but I can tell you [economists and experts] are very concerned about the long-term financial condition of Illinois and, consequently, how it might flow down to school districts,” Grossi told the Tribune.

He also acknowledged long-term financials aren't known. 

“There is no right or wrong answer to what the board decides to do,” Grossi said. “More than likely, your current financial condition is likely the best financial condition you will be in for many, many years. If there are capital projects that need to be done, this is probably the best financial situation you’ll be in at this moment in time.”

Board members, however, felt an obligation to their students and chose to move forward with the renovations.

“While I have grave concerns about our state’s budget and what that might mean for us, it also seems to me with the escalating construction costs, we’re throwing out the baby with the bath water,” Board member Sara Spivy said at the meeting. “It sort of feels we’re shortchanging our students yet again by kicking the can down the road. I’m not inclined to postpone it.”