District 122 Authorizes $8 Million in Bonds for HVAC; Partners with Park District on Playgrounds

New Lenox School District 122 Board Meeting | Nov. 2025

Article Summary:
The School Board moved forward with major capital projects, authorizing the issuance of $8 million in Life Safety Bonds to fund HVAC renovations at Tyler School. Additionally, the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the New Lenox Park District to replace playgrounds at the Nelson campus.

Capital Projects Key Points:

• Bond Issuance: The board approved a resolution to issue not more than $8 million in General Obligation School Bonds for fire prevention and safety projects.

• Tyler School HVAC: The bond proceeds will primarily fund the replacement of the heating and cooling system at Arnold J. Tyler Elementary School in the summer of 2026.

• Playground Partnership: The district will split the cost of two new playgrounds at the Nelson Prairie/Nelson Ridge campus with the New Lenox Park District, with the school’s share totaling $355,475.

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, advanced significant infrastructure improvements, securing funding for HVAC work and approving a cooperative playground replacement project.

The board unanimously approved a resolution providing for the issue of up to $8 million in General Obligation School Bonds. These “Life Safety Bonds” are designated for altering and reconstructing school buildings, specifically to address the HVAC system at Tyler School. According to the timeline presented by the administration, the bonds are scheduled to be sold on November 24, 2025, with the proceeds invested until the project commences in the summer of 2026.

Chief School Business Official Robert Groos noted that the repayment structure is designed to increase property tax payments by about $30 per year for the next eight years.

In a separate capital project, the board approved a partnership with the New Lenox Park District to replace the playgrounds at Nelson Prairie and Nelson Ridge. The total estimated cost for the project is $710,949, which will be shared equally between the two governing bodies.

“We are very excited about including the inclusionary pieces on the playgrounds,” Superintendent Dr. Lori Motsch said. She added that partnering with the Park District allows the schools to leverage the Park District’s purchasing power with vendors.

The school district’s share of the project is $355,475, which will be paid from existing fund balance cash reserves in the Capital Projects Fund. The Park District will bid and manage the construction, which is slated for the summer of 2026.