Board of Education Work Session Summary: February 12

The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education met on Monday, February 12, 2024, in the Liberty Middle School Auditorium for its monthly work session.   

These are not the official meeting minutes and do not include every detail from the work session but rather a summary to assist the District #7 community. The official minutes can be found on the District #7 Board of Education Board Docs once approved by the Board.    

EHS Commons Expansion  
The 8,000 square foot EHS Commons expansion will begin this summer and includes an addition, which will feature Tiger Bites, a grab and go service option for students, and a renovation of the current restrooms off the Commons. The addition will increase the capacity in that area to 900 people.   

The renovation will include the demolition of the current restrooms which will establish a new corridor linking the A wing (former media center) to the lobby/Commons entrance, enhancing accessibility and movement from the other wings of the building.  

The single stall restrooms, available for use by any student, will feature 22 floor-to-ceiling partitions with a locking door. Sinks will be outside of the restrooms in a visible and supervisable corridor. This renovation aims to enhance student privacy, while also boosting security and safety by enabling more effective monitoring of the restroom corridor. Gender specific restrooms will remain in the D wing and on the other floors of EHS. 

Construction work is slated to begin in September 2024, with an estimated completion date of early August 2025.   

Secure Entries/Hardware Update  
As previously communicated, the updated timeline for secure double entries includes:  

• Summer 2024: Cassens, Goshen, Liberty, Midway, Worden (hardware updates)  

• Summer 2025: EHS, Glen Carbon, Leclaire, Nelson, Woodland (will involve construction)  

• Summer 2026: Columbus   

• Lincoln’s will be done with the new construction at that building, while Hamel’s is still being worked through based on building options  

Columbus Playground  
Bidding for this project, which has been on the docket for the past few years, is expected for this summer with work immediately to follow.   

Next Meeting:   
Monday, February 26 – Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting (7 p.m. at Liberty Middle School)