District Secures Lower Electricity Rates and Plans Capital Improvements
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | Nov. 2025
Article Summary: The district has locked in a new electricity rate through a reverse auction and is moving forward with a five-year capital improvement plan focused on HVAC upgrades. Officials also discussed upcoming maintenance projects, including sealcoating.
Operations & Maintenance Key Points:
-
Electricity Rate: The district accepted a bid of $0.06625 per kilowatt-hour for a 36-month term.
-
Capital Plan: A 5-year plan was presented, prioritizing HVAC system upgrades at Grand Prairie and Hickory Creek.
-
Grant Funding: Funds from the FY26 School Maintenance Project Grant will be applied toward these HVAC projects.
-
Sealcoating: Parking lot sealcoating is scheduled for Chelsea and Grand Prairie in the summer of 2026.
Frankfort School District 157-C has secured a new, competitive electricity rate following a reverse auction process, Director of Business and Operational Services Dr. LeeAnn Taylor reported to the Board on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
The district accepted a rate of $0.06625 per kilowatt-hour for a 36-month contract. Dr. Taylor noted the process involved multiple bids and resulted in a favorable rate for the district.
In addition to utility savings, the board discussed long-term facility needs. Dr. Taylor and Supervisor of Building and Grounds Rodney Davis presented a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. A primary focus of the plan is addressing HVAC needs, including LED lighting and flooring at Hickory Creek Middle School and upgrades at Grand Prairie Elementary and the district office.
“Looking ahead to 2027-2028, the district is looking to make building automation system upgrades at Grand Prairie and Hickory Creek which control the heating and cooling,” Davis reported.
To support these efforts, the board approved the School Maintenance Project Grant, with plans to use the FY26 funds toward the multi-year HVAC projects. Dr. Taylor also outlined plans for parking lot sealcoating projects at Chelsea Intermediate and Grand Prairie Elementary scheduled for the summer of 2026.
Latest News Stories
Op-Ed: If Illinois wants clean energy, it needs data centers
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
Lawmaker says Illinois behind 44 states in legislative transparency
Illinois Quick Hits: Foreign national faces harboring, forced labor charges
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Legislative Committee for February 3, 2026
Health & Safety Committee: Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop to Zero in January as Behavioral Health Department Expands Role
Illinois GOP state reps call on Dems to stop taxing s’mores, other goods
Illinois Quick Hits: Tangent to expand in Montgomery
Retail advocate: Swipe fees ruling is largest Main St. ‘relief package’ in Illinois
Smith & Wesson wins appeal chance in Highland Park lawsuits
Illinois Republicans say federal student data probe may reach Illinois State after Tufts review
Violence Interrupters, local activists lead CTA safety push