Unit 4 Board Approves Architectural Contract

Champaign’s School Board has signed off on a $120-thousand contract with a firm to design a new Central High School and for renovations at Centennial High.

A Unit 4 press states the Gorsi Reifsteck/DLR Group will help with programming, which includes working with district staff to decide academic programs at each school, and providing adequate space for a growing student population.

That includes programming space for extracurricular activities like band, interscholastic athletics, and drama. 

The News-Gazette reports the contract was approved on a 6-to-1 vote, with Lynn Stuckey voting no. Gorski Reifsteck was chosen among a group of 12 submissions by Unit 4.

Two months ago, Unit 4 announced the purchase of an 80-acre site at Neil and Interstate Drive for the new Central High School.  

The next step for the district will be pass a resolution to place a property tax referendum on November ballots to build that school.  

The district estimates that under current elementary enrollment numbers, Unit 4 will need to serve 1,600 students at each of its Central and Centennial campuses by 2022.  Today, those two schools serve 1,200 and 1,300 students respectively, and are at 103-percent capacity.