Community underwent critical infrastructure repairs and updates this summer as Unit 5 completed more than 140 maintenance and construction projects across the district—funded in part by a newly implemented school facility sales tax.

The school received critical heating and cooling system upgrades this summer, according to a district report.

The work included replacing both of Community’s failing boilers and installing a new cooling tower—two of the building’s most urgent infrastructure needs, according to Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle.

Without functioning boilers, the building would be unable to maintain heat in colder months. Cooling towers help regulate indoor temperatures in warm weather.

Alpha Controls, an energy management services company, spent nearly a week troubleshooting the new HVAC controls after complaints that the building was too cold at the start of the year, Community head custodian Mr. Ed Smock said.

Community began a roof restoration this summer that is still underway to address ongoing leak issues. 

However, the maintenance continued into the school year, causing disruptions during class time. One Community faculty member said the process sounded “like they were dropping cars up,” a distraction that made “it really hard to teach.”

Additional upgrades at Community this summer included repainting the cafeteria a bright white, installing new SmartBoards in every classroom and adding new video boards in the East gym. 

Outside the building, crews extended the trail that runs in front of the school and repaired and resurfaced the tennis courts.

The court repairs were necessary after years of deterioration left them in poor condition

“There were cracks throughout all the courts that were increasing in size” Athletic Director Nic Kearfott said, making the courts “unplayable” and “unsafe” if not addressed.

As part of the resurfacing, the courts were painted in orange and black as part of a branding effort led by Kearfott and Principal Dr. Adam Zbrozek.

“We’re trying to get all of our facilities more branded,” Kearfott said, so “kids can be proud.”

Student athletes have noticed the difference. 

“I like the color,”  tennis player Amulya Acharya said. “It feels fresh.”

Beyond appearances, Acharya said the new surface feels better to play on, with less weathering and smoother footing.

In addition to Community’s upgrades and improvements, Unit 5 completed projects across multiple campuses:

• A new gym floor was installed at Parkside Junior High
• New playground equipment was installed at Cedar Ridge and Brigham elementary schools
• A food pantry was added at Kingsley Junior High
• The Instructional Media Center (IMC) was remodeled at Hoose Elementary

In March, Weikle estimated $52 million in infrastructure needs across Unit 5 over the next five years, with nearly $18 million tied to Community alone.

Some high-priority projects, including the planned reconstruction of Community’s track were not included in this summer’s work and remain to be addressed.

The full report can be found here.