Lincoln-Way 210 Advances Summer Site Improvements and Asbestos Abatement Projects

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | March 19, 2026

Article Summary: The Board of Education approved an asbestos abatement contract and initial site improvement bids to prepare for a massive $30 million HVAC overhaul and complete scheduled campus upgrades.

Site Improvements Key Points:

• NES, Inc. was awarded a $38,000 contract for asbestos abatement at Lincoln-Way Central.

• Henry Brothers was approved for the base bid and alternates 1-5 for summer site improvements.

• Turf selection for an auxiliary field was postponed until April to utilize purchasing cooperatives.

Preparing for a massive $30 million HVAC overhaul and various summer maintenance projects, the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, March 19, 2026, approved an asbestos abatement contract and initial site improvement bids.

The district will complete approximately $30,000,000 in HVAC improvements at the Lincoln-Way Central and East campuses during the summers of 2026 and 2027. To prepare for this work, the district must ensure that any ceiling tiles or materials disturbed by the HVAC updates are clear of asbestos. According to a memo from Director of Buildings & Grounds Chuck Welke and Assistant Superintendent Michael J. Duback, a small section of abatement work is needed at Lincoln-Way Central.

The Board awarded the asbestos abatement contract to the lowest responsive bidder, NES, Inc., for a total cost of $38,000. The cost will be covered by life safety contingencies and the operating budget. The abatement work is scheduled to take place over spring break when students are out of the building, allowing HVAC contractors to begin their preparatory work in April and May.

In a separate vote, the Board advanced its annual summer site improvements, which typically encompass $4 million to $6 million worth of non-HVAC work. The Board approved the base bid and alternates one through five from Henry Brothers. The approved work includes tennis courts at Lincoln-Way West, concrete and paving work at the transportation center, field events behind the stadium at Lincoln-Way East, and parking expansions.

However, the Board held off on approving alternates six, seven, and eight, which related to different turf options for an auxiliary field. Duback explained that pricing clarifications with manufacturers prompted the district to pause on the turf selection. The district plans to explore purchasing the turf material directly through a cooperative to increase efficiency and will bring a product recommendation back to the Board in April.

Both the asbestos abatement contract and the site improvement bids passed in 5-0 split votes, with Board Secretary Deadra W. Stokes abstaining from both items.