Orland District 135 Plans $15 Million Renovation for Schools

Orland: The school district is gearing up for some big changes. They’re planning to spend $15 million on renovations, which includes new playgrounds and HVAC systems. This is all part of their second phase of upgrades, funded by bonds and reserves.

Recently, the school board held a public hearing about these improvements. They’re looking to enhance all 10 elementary and junior high schools in the district. Over the next eight years, they expect to invest a total of $26 million into these infrastructure projects.

Scott Beranek, the finance director, mentioned that the district’s architecture firm, Tria, pinpointed the necessary repairs during a facility survey. They’ve already completed the first phase, which cost $8 million and included updates like new flooring, paint, and lighting.

Beranek shared that everyone is thrilled with the upgrades so far. He emphasized the need to keep the momentum going. If the board approves, the second phase will kick off this summer and wrap up by summer 2026. They’re looking at roof and window replacements, more HVAC work, and, of course, new playgrounds.

One issue they’ve faced is inconsistent heating and cooling in classrooms. The new, more efficient units should help create a comfortable environment for all students. Plus, kids will get to weigh in on playground designs, which is pretty cool.

The district is also selling $14.5 million in bonds for this next phase, with additional costs covered by cash reserves. They plan to present everything to the board for final approval on February 10. After that, they’ll seek the lowest bids for the projects.

Beranek noted that there hasn’t been much pushback from the community since students won’t be in the buildings during renovations. Any summer programs will be moved to other locations.

Overall, the district is excited to keep improving their facilities to meet community expectations. It’s a lot of work, but they’re ready to tackle it head-on.