8 | March 8, 2018 | The wilmette beacon school wilmettebeacon.com First phase of Loyola Academy transformation set to begin Submitted by Loyola Academy Spring 2018 is just around the corner, and construction is about to begin on Phase One of Loyola Academy’s multiphase Campus Master Plan, which will transform the Wilmette campus with a state-of-the-art pool, a gathering space inspired by the St. Ignatius Piazza in Rome and more. After a rigorous review and selection process, Loyola has joined forces with CannonDesign, a Chiago-based integrated global design firm with a dynamic team of architects, engineers and industry experts, and Valenti Builders, an awardwinning construction management firm located in Northfield with a commitment to the values that are at the heart of the school’s Jesuit mission. “This is an exciting moment for the Loyola community as we begin to take the large-scale capital enhancements included in Phase One of our Campus Master Plan from concept to reality,” said Peter J. Broccolo, Loyola’s Building and Grounds Committee chair and 1974 graduate of the school. “Representatives from Valenti Builders are bringing their considerable expertise in preconstruction consulting and construction management to the table as they work with CannonDesign on project pricing, logistics and scheduling. We have great confidence in this team as we move into the final phases of preparation for our new pool, piazza and other Phase One capital enhancements.” Daniel A. Nowak, Valenti Builders’ senior superintendent and a 1983 Loyola graduate, has been on-site at Loyola since December familiarizing himself with school operations and traffic flow patterns. “Dan Nowak has been working on what we call ‘campus continuity,’ which entails a thorough review of the way that Loyola staff and students currently use the campus,” said Daniel J. Valenti, president of Valenti Builders and a 2001 Loyola graduate. “This will enable us to ensure that the campus will continue to function normally once construction begins.” According to Jack Scapin, project manager at The design and construction representatives, along with Loyola’s Executive Vice President Dennis R. Stonequist and facilities staff, roll up their sleeves to plan for a spring groundbreaking for Loyola’s new pool, piazza and improved parking and traffic management plan. Photos submitted Valenti and a 1998 Loyola graduate, the first signs of construction will be visible in late May as the school year draws to a close. “We plan to complete the general site work, which includes the reconfiguration of the school’s drop-off and pickup lanes to ease traffic congestion, new asphalt parking lots with additional spaces, new stormwater detention systems and new campus lighting and landscaping,” he said. Pool and piazza construction will begin this June with an anticipated completion date in August 2019. For more information about Loyola campus enhancements, visit goramblers.com. RIGHT: Loyola Academy graduates and members of Valenti Builders (left to right) Jack Scapin, Daniel J. Valenti and Daniel A. Nowak stand in front of the school. lechner From Page 4 Steen complimented Lechner on his time at District 39. “I want to say on behalf of the board that District 39 and our entire community has been very fortunate to have Ray leading the school system since 2007,” he said. “The initiatives and improvements he has spearheaded will continue to benefit the staff and the children of D39 long after his departure. He leaves a strong foundation for his successor and that successor will have very big shoes to fill.” The board will soon begin the process of searching for a successor to Lechner. “With regard to the successor the board is committed to a thorough, broad and inclusive search process and to involving the district’s many stakeholders in our selection of the next superintendent,” Steen said. “The board will conduct a nationwide search for that superintendent and in the coming weeks the board will begin interviewing firms to assist the district with this important process.” D39 parent Erin Stone also expressed her appreciation for Lechner’s work in the district over the past two decades. “From where I’m sitting, it’s very apparent that Dr. Lechner has worked tirelessly on behalf of our children every single day and night if there’s snow,” she said. “I’m more grateful for it than I can express during three minutes of allotted public comment time. Dr. Lechner, I am proud to be your partner in education.” Addressing school safety after Florida shooting In the wake of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people on Feb. 14, Steen discussed the district’s school safety and security measures. “The board wants to assure you that the district consistently reviews its security infrastructure and practices regardless of the latest headlines,” he said. “In the wake of shootings, we often perform additional reviews of our practices. We are currently working with the Wilmette Police Department on a safety review and are considering steps we can take to further improve school security in District 39. We will keep the community informed throughout this process.” School walkouts are being planned nationwide on March 14, the one-month anniversary of the school shooting in Florida on Valentine’s Day. District 39 is not organizing walkouts. “We are aware of the national movement encouraging school walkouts which appears especially strong at the high school level,” Steen said. “District 39’s primary obligation is to the safety of its students which must be balanced with their own civic engagement. District 39 is not organizing any walkouts.”
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