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

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty...
Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at...
Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

Fewer businesses of Illinois’ diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Fewer businesses that get diversity-related government priority in Illinois are getting contracts with the state, according to...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Uses Five-Run Fifth Inning to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team picked up a 7-3 non-conference road victory over Cumberland on Monday afternoon, breaking open a tight contest with a massive five-run surge in the fifth...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Takes Advantage of Late Errors to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team utilized a massive five-run fifth inning and capitalized on defensive miscues to defeat Cumberland 7-3 in a home non-conference matchup on Monday. The game began...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Miscues to Defeat Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team protected its home turf at Jerald Barr Field on Monday afternoon, securing a solid 7-3 non-conference victory over the Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine (OHP) co-op. By combining steady,...
Martinsville School Graphic.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education for February 23, 2026

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 The Martinsville Community Unit School District #C-3 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026....
Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois' population has continued to narrowly grow this year, despite a significant number of cities in the...
Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says a cannabis company subjected female workers at...
Clark County Graphic.4

Clark County Approves Highway Engineering Agreements, Discusses Infrastructure Upgrades

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Clark County Highway Department received approval for a $20,562 engineering agreement to support a shoulder-paving project near Westfield, alongside...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Helm’s Two-Way Masterpiece Leads Champaign Central Past Casey-Westfield 3-0

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-0 to Champaign Central in neutral-site tournament action. The contest was defined by a spectacular two-way performance...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Champaign Central’s Early Surge Stuns Casey-Westfield in 3-0 Shutout

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Champaign Central in a neutral-site tournament game on Saturday. A three-run opening inning by the visitors proved...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Powers Past Farina South Central 11-4 in Tournament Play

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team showcased a relentless offensive attack on Saturday, racking up 14 hits to defeat Farina South Central 11-4 in home tournament action. The hosts used a...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for March 16, 2026

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 The Casey-Westfield School Board convened for its regular session on Monday, March 16, 2026, addressing several key personnel and operational items. Alongside...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Sullivan Holds Off Late Casey-Westfield Rally to Secure 5-4 Victory

The Sullivan varsity baseball team built a comfortable early lead and withstood a late-inning surge to edge out non-conference visitor Casey-Westfield 5-4 on Saturday afternoon. After commanding the first five...