# Regular Meeting - Oct 27 2026


**Body:** Oak Park Elementary School District 97
**Date:** October 28, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities, Physical Infrastructure


The Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board of Education’s regular meeting, held October 27, 2026 (the metadata lists October 28), included a discussion of the district’s roughly $92 million master facilities plan and its financing. Staff presented health and life safety bond options of about $23 million, comparing 10- and 15-year repayment schedules; the 15-year option was estimated to cost about $8.26 million more in interest, and a committee had recommended the 10-year option. The board also discussed working cash bond scenarios to finance non-eligible capital work and ease pressure on operating funds. Option B1 would bring the working cash bond plan to $49.6 million over ten years, including a potential $3.6 million reimbursement for roof work already completed; option C1 would total $57.6 million and provide greater near-term operating relief while extending repayment and reducing future flexibility. The reimbursement resolution was described as preserving an option rather than committing the district to issue bonds. The transcript does not clearly establish whether it was approved. Further discussion was anticipated before a proposed authorizing resolution on November 17, with bond-sale authorization planned for January 12 and a possible fund transfer in February.

The superintendent reported that 2026 capital projects were proceeding, with bids expected to come to the board for final approval in December. Solar installations were underway at the middle schools, with work at other schools expected to start the following week. The district’s FY26 audit, conducted with Baker Tilly, was expected to be presented in December. Summer-program discussion included a board member’s suggestion to seek grant funding, including for robotics, but no grant or procurement decision was reported. No specific vendor award was identified.

**Source:** Oak Park Elementary School District 97