The Joliet Township High School Board of Education approved conceptual designs and estimated budgets for Joliet Central and West High School Media Center renovations at the Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting.  Construction on the project will begin at the start of summer 2020 with an anticipated completion date of mid-October 2020.  Both Media Centers will close one month prior to the end of this school year to prepare for construction. 

This is the first time renovations have been made to the decades-old Media Center spaces and multiple considerations were taken into account while developing the conceptual designs such as new developments in technology and instructional practices.  Media Center staff, administrators, and architects visited four Chicago-area high schools to view state-of-the art Media Centers and their functionality while in use by students. 

“Remodeling the centers will provide updated and more inviting interior spaces for teachers and students with the goal of making the spaces desirable places to study, work with others, and learn,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ilandus Hampton who is working closely with the architects and builders on the project. “The conceptual themes consist of reconfiguring the centers to include a variety of learning spaces such as individual study locations, small group semi-private booths, medium-sized group conference/workrooms, and areas capable of hosting entire classes for formal instruction or presentations.  A variety of technology-driven, flexible furnishings will provide options for casual seating and individual and group learning preferences.”

The estimated project budget of 5.4 million will be funded through the issuance of bonds at favorable rates due to the current market conditions.