Marshall Board of Education Approves Over $88,000 in Emergency Repairs and Fine Arts Upgrades

Spread the love

Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education Meeting | March 12, 2026

Article Summary: The Marshall Board of Education on Thursday authorized immediate and extensive facility investments, approving emergency repairs to the high school elevator, preliminary audio upgrades for the Forsythe Performing Arts Center, and the bidding process for a high school boiler replacement.

Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Key Points:

  • Emergency elevator repairs at Marshall High School will cost $54,290, with the contract awarded to Kone.

  • The board authorized $34,442 for the first phase of audio and stage equipment at the Forsythe Performing Arts Center, offsetting the total cost with a $20,000 Arts Grant.

  • Bids will be sought to replace two failing boilers at the MHS/MJHS campus with new, smaller, high-efficiency models.

The Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education on Thursday, March 12, 2026, greenlit several major infrastructure and facility improvement projects to address failing mechanical systems and enhance the district’s fine arts capabilities.

At the request of Superintendent Ross and the Facilities Committee, the board unanimously approved emergency elevator repairs at Marshall High School. The MHS elevator is currently completely out of service, creating accessibility issues. The $54,290 repair project, which will be executed by Kone, includes the installation of two replacement door operators and a soft starter to restore the system to functional order.

The board also initiated the first steps toward a significant heating overhaul for the Marshall High School and Marshall Junior High School campus. The Facilities Committee reported that one of the two campus boilers is currently offline due to a leak.

“It is believed that the other will not be far behind,” the committee noted in its report. The current boilers were last retubed in 2017. Rather than retubing the failing equipment again, the board unanimously approved a motion by Mr. Gard, seconded by Mr. Maurer, to let bids for the replacement of both units. The district plans to install two smaller, high-efficiency boilers that are better suited to the facilities’ modern needs.

Beyond mechanical repairs, the board also invested heavily in the district’s fine arts infrastructure, unanimously approving the first phase of a broader renovation of the Forsythe Performing Arts Center.

The initial $34,442 equipment purchase includes a new digital sound board, accompanying wireless handheld and headset microphones, and a replacement for the stage’s white backdrop curtain. District officials emphasized that these purchases are being expedited to ensure the new equipment is in place for the April musical.

The financial impact of the performing arts upgrades will be significantly buffered by a $20,000 Arts Grant secured by Megan Wilson. According to Superintendent Ross, further renovations will be sent out for bid this spring and summer, which will eventually include full curtain replacement, speaker upgrades, lighting replacements, and sound attenuation improvements.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...
Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago

Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Judges in Miami and Chicago have revoked permission that allowed the firm Beasley Allen to pursue talc lawsuits because it collaborated with...
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois has paused a legislative redistricting effort after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday, but Gov....
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

By Alton Wallace | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – United States gasoline prices pushed higher for the sixth consecutive day Wednesday, reaching $4.23 a gallon, as...
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Critics on both sides of the aisle in Illinois government are calling for changes to the SAFE-T...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Early Run Support Lifts Casey-Westfield Past Dieterich Baseball, 9-2

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team utilized a relentless 14-hit offensive attack to defeat host Dieterich 9-2 in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon. Casey-Westfield set the tone immediately, jumping out...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Freshman Ava Leo Powers Mattoon Softball Past Casey-Westfield, 11-8

The Mattoon varsity softball team utilized a potent offensive attack and a resilient complete-game pitching performance by freshman Ava Leo to secure an 11-8 non-conference home victory over Casey-Westfield on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says IBM’s new delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fueled by...
ISU's union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50

Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in...
Casey Westfield School Board.2

Building Reports Highlight Testing Triumphs, Historic Track Records, and Career Exploration

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: Building administrators delivered comprehensive academic reports to the Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday, highlighting state testing completions, athletic milestones,...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for April 20, 2026

Casey City Council Meeting | April 20, 2026 The Casey City Council convened on Monday, April 20, 2026, for a meeting heavily focused on municipal infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, and personnel...
school board monroe elementary

Casey-Westfield Board Approves Nearly $100,000 for Monroe Elementary Technology Upgrades

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday approved extensive equipment and maintenance expenditures, headlined by a $98,167 technology purchase to...