District 113A Applies for $50K State Grant to Cover Maintenance at Old Quarry

Officials in hope to cover a sizable portion of maintenance costs at in the coming years through a new state grant program.

The District 113A school board held a special meeting Monday night to approve an application for a School Maintenance Program Grant offered by the Illinois State Board of Education. The dollar-for-dollar program—a $50 million initiative announced in February by Gov. Pat Quinn—provides up to $50,000 in matching funds for the maintenance and upkeep of building for educational purposes, according to the ISBE website.

District 113A is seeking the grant to replace a building automation system that controls classrooms and gymnasiums at Old Quarry.

According to district documents, the building's current system has been onsolete for the past several years and is in jeopardy of "catastrophic failure." Should the system fail, there would be no heating or air conditioning for a portion of the building.

Because there is no replacement for the current system, a new one is required to meet code for student attendance.

The total estimated cost for the project is $117,528. Should District 113A receive the grant, the district would cover the remaining $67,528.

District 113A administrators will forward the grant application to the Regional Office of Education by May 1. Regional officials will review the materials before forwarding to the state board.

If the grant is approved, the funds will be provided to the district for immediate use. The money must be expended or legally obligated within two years, and all contracts must be completed within five years of the award date.

District 113A is recommending a three-phase process, with the project commencing this summer and completing in 2013-14.