The Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education on March 23 approved a plan to seek bids for approximately $5.7 million in summer maintenance and improvement projects at Steele Elementary School and Galesburg Junior-Senior High School.

The action came during a brief special meeting at the district office that had been scheduled for a student disciplinary hearing. With all board members present, district officials moved ahead with the 2026 Facilities Improvements Phase 2 plan and authorized the district to solicit bids, with consideration expected at the board’s April 13 meeting.

Superintendent John Asplund said the projects are largely routine maintenance needs funded through the district’s 1-cent facilities sales tax. The estimate includes an alternate bid for replacing the junior high track, which officials said will depend on cost.

“This is just summer maintenance work. It just needs to be done,” Asplund said after the meeting.

Steele Elementary improvements

At Steele Elementary, the proposed work includes replacing aging flooring throughout the building, removing outdated fire doors no longer required in the sprinklered facility, and replacing exterior and interior doors original to the nearly 60-year-old building. The plan also calls for resealing the staff parking lot on the west side of the school.

Junior-senior high school and track work

At the junior-senior high school, proposed work includes resealing the student parking lot; painting gym walls, ductwork and structural elements; and modifying a curb to allow a semitrailer to access a band trailer area.

Additional site improvements include installing two discus rings and a shot-put area west of the former Van Dyke Field.

The alternate bid would replace the existing track with a new six-lane surface for junior high meets. District officials said that portion of the project was separated due to price uncertainty.

“We are concerned about the track,” Asplund said, citing fluctuating prices tied to petroleum-based materials such as asphalt.

Board discussion reflected similar concerns, noting the track replacement was separated as an alternate so it would not delay or affect the rest of the maintenance work.

Asplund said he expects bids to be returned in time for consideration at the April 13 meeting, with the goal of completing approved work during the summer construction window before fall classes begin, with the possible exception of the track.

The board met in closed session for the student disciplinary hearing but reported no action afterward.