Belleville 118 board considering $12M in upgrades at 11 schools. Here’s what’s included

From improved security to new playgrounds, Belleville’s largest elementary and middle school district has an expansive summer bucket list.

Members of the District 118 School Board will decide at next month’s meeting if they want to issue and sell up to $12 million in working cash fund bonds to finance the project.

If they choose to do so, the district could receive the money by May and work could commence at the start of summer’s break, Superintendent Ryan Boike said. If all goes according to plan, the projects will be wrapped up in time for the new school year.

“We have a lot of things going,” Boike said at Tuesday’s school board meeting. “We’re probably going to be able to get more things done this summer for the amount of money we are spending than ever before.”

If the total value of property in the district continues to increase, the district would be able to pay for the project without an increase to its tax rate, he said.

Playgrounds, tracks, safety and parking lots

The bonds will help fund projects at all 11 schools, plus the district office. While they vary based on the buildings’ needs, Boike said many serve a common purpose.

“I cannot emphasize enough that safety and security are driving this project,” he said.

The district plans to add more security cameras and access points throughout its properties. Currently, all schools require guests to “buzz in” to enter the building. Most entrances lead visitors to the office before they can access any other part of the school, with the exception of Douglas, Roosevelt and Washington Elementary Schools.

The district hopes to reconfigure these three schools’ entrances so all visitors will have to enter the office first. The changes will also increase accessibility for people with mobility devices, such as wheelchairs or scooters.

Under the plan, all of the schools’ parking lots, playgrounds and the junior highs’ tracks will be resurfaced or resealed. The building next to the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association will be demolished and replaced with an additional asphalt parking lot for Franklin Elementary.

“When you talk about parking lots and driveways and things like that, replacing asphalt is not always cheap,” Boike said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “But, by mobilizing different companies to do the work all at once, we’re saving a ton of money.”

Douglas, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Union Elementary Schools will all receive new playgrounds under the plan, too. The 118 Foundation is funding the playground structures at Union and Jefferson schools.

Building repairs and upgrades

Here’s a list of other projects being planned:

▪ Selective tuckpointing at Abe Lincoln Elementary, Douglas Elementary and West Junior High

▪ Sidewalk repairs at Central Junior High, and a new sidewalk for Douglas’ new playground and at the rear of Jefferson Elementary’s property

▪ Concrete dumpster pad at Franklin Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary; replace concrete at Roosevelt Elementary’s rear entrance

▪ New acoustical ceiling and LED lighting in corridors at Henry Rabb Elementary

▪ Replace ceilings in main corridors and add LED lighting at Washington Elementary

▪ Replace concrete landings at Jefferson Elementary

▪ Add fencing at Roosevelt Elementary

▪ Move fencing that’s in the rear of West Junior High and add concrete turnaround to better serve Food Services

▪ Interior lighting upgrades, main floor bathroom renovations, new concrete for rear stairs and ramp at the district office, and restore the roof at the maintenance building

The cost of all of the asphalt work and that of reconfiguring the three schools’ entrances are the most expensive of the projects.

This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM.