The Unit 9 school board is moving forward with its 10-year capital improvement plan. The focus is to offer the best opportunities for students while finding the best ways to overcome challenges of aging buildings; and fighting repeated flood issues.

The architectural firm Reifsteck & Reid presented educational materials at a meeting (last Thursday). Community input was welcomed at the meeting. A failed consolidation referendum earlier this year now emphasizes the future challenge of a too-often flooded Nettie Davis building and needed-updates at the Wanda Kendall and Glenn Raymond school buildings.

Financing options are part of the talks. Funding assistance could be reaching out to both state and federal agencies.

The state of Illinois’ education budget does include monies for construction. How that comes into play for planning purposes remains to be seen. The state is yet to announce any rules for allocating money.

94.1 WGFA