CCSD21 approves contract with Advocate Medical Group, awards construction contracts for school-based health center

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on Thursday officially approved a contract with Advocate Medical Group for the operation of its school-based health clinic within the Community Service Center and Administrative Office.

The board also approved four bid packages for construction services within the center at a cost of $841,035. These include a $455,000 contract with Monarch Construction for general trades, an $86,660 contract with Bruckner & Son for plumbing, a $157,400 contract with Amber Mechanical Contractors for HVAC, and a $141,975 contract with Carey Electric Contracting for electrical work. These fees will be paid for using the $1 million in federal funds secured by U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, who previously called the idea for the facility “fabulous.”

With a contract for providing services, and bids now awarded, construction on the health center is slated to begin next month, be substantially completed by March 2024 and a slated grand opening the month after that.

The 3,000-square-foot facility will provide essential access to health care for the district’s students and staff, with plans to eventually expand the services to families and the broader community.

“Having access to health care for the students and staff right in the district that is reserved for their use will aid in attendance, lowering infection rates and greatly reducing health exclusions for students,” added Micheal DeBartolo, assistant superintendent for finance and operations. “Not to mention, the district will be able to offer physicals and vaccines, as well as access to service providers within the network of its chosen health care provider.”

The estimated annual expenses for the district to operate the SBHC is between $400,000 and $500,000. The estimated expenses for the first year are $482,743, but the actual expenses may vary slightly depending on actual staffing and the utilization of medical supplies and equipment, medications, lab tests, and purchased services.

Based upon a donation the district received from a private family foundation, the clinic is set to be self-sustainable for at least two years before needing any additional funding for which CCSD21 would seek outside sources.