It’s hard to believe that the start of the District 86 2012-13 school year is only about five weeks away. But given the current midsummer states of Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South high schools, it might be even harder to believe that those under-construction campuses will be ready to go on Aug. 22.

Stephanie Mueller of Gilbane Inc., the contractor overseeing the summer improvements, told the District 86 Board of Education at its Monday night meeting at Hinsdale South that the summer’s capital improvements at both high schools are on schedule and are indeed expected to be complete before school starts.

"Everything is on schedule; we’re going as planned," Mueller said "Things are going to be ready for kids when they come back in the fall." 

Board member Kay Gallo said, "I like the term 'on schedule.'"

At the Hinsdale Central campus, new main lobby walls have been framed and drywall has been installed as of July 12; science lab mechanical work is ready to go and walls in those labs have been installed; the refinishing of the wood floor in the gym is in progress, as is the installation of underground utilities and exterior grading.

The new roof over the wrestling gym at Hinsdale South has been completed; the main lobby walls, mechanical piping for unit vents in classrooms, and foundations at the north and west canopies have been installed; and the stone-clad wall foundations have been started.

Between July 13 and Aug. 20, underground utilities and exterior paving at Hinsdale Central will be completed, planters and retaining walls will be installed, and the updated science labs will be completed. Also, the main entrance's terrazzo floor and ceiling will be finished; classroom piping and unit vents will be installed; and the ticket office and auditorium improvements will be completed.

At Hinsdale South, planters and stone walls still need to be completed, as do the exterior concrete and asphalt paving, the canopies at both entrances, and the terrazzo floor and ceiling at the main entrance. New pool equipment will also be installed before Aug. 20. Other mechanical equipment needs to be set and pipe enclosures need to be installed.

Gallo asked if the notable heat this summer has affected the work at all. Mueller said Gilbane has set up water stations for its subcontractors and has kept an eye out for any workers struggling with high temperatures. 

"That is something that we monitor and we talk to the foremen about daily," she said.