LM Summer 2025

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Both Q&A interviews are condensed versions from IASA podcast.

Documenting Progres Why Two Districts Keep Communities In

Q&A with Dr. Ben Collins Superintendent of Park Ridge CCSD #64, Cook North

referendum, broken into four categories: • Health, life, safety and security (fire alarms, interior doors, HVAC, ADA accessibility). • Mechanical and infrastructure (roofs, lighting, plumbing, electrical). • Classroom improvements (middle school science labs, fine arts spaces, CTE spaces, special education classrooms). • Building additions (new middle school cafeteria, elementary classroom spaces, and a multipurpose room). Our partners include Wight Architects as our architect overseeing all projects, Ameresco doing design-build work in one middle school, and Nicholas & Associates and Midwest Mechanical handling our older schools needing the architect construction manager model. Ameresco’s system is slightly different because it’s more design-build, and we’ve got a building that’s 30 years old, so they’re able to do that work and it’s been a good experience. IASA: Can you share the timeline of how you got to this referendum?

IASA: Could you tell our listeners about yourself and your school district? BC: I’m in my third year as superintendent in Park Ridge Niles District 64. Prior to that, I was principal at Maine South High School for six years. I came to administration through being a high school band director. I’m a musician by training, which is how I got into teaching through my love of music and sharing that with others. Our district has about 4,800 students in eight different buildings. We serve nearly the entire community of Park Ridge, Illinois (about 40,000 residents) and about 10,000 residents from Niles. It’s a district consolidated over 100 years ago spanning the area north of O’Hare Airport. IASA: We’re talking about summer building projects with a focus on the importance of telling your story and providing community updates. Can you share the scope of work happening in your district and who you’re partnering with? BC: We have about $105 million worth of work over the next two years. $89 million was approved in our November 2024

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