Mundelein High School was the pride of the Mundelein area when it opened in 1961. Its 680-square-foot classrooms had seating for 20 desks. The building had a cutting-edge boiler system, glass block windows in the hallway, and an auditorium for band, orchestra, and theater programs. 

In the 63 years since it opened, these areas, along with the competition gym and the kitchen and cafeteria, have seen little change. The school’s original classrooms are the same size, the boiler HVAC system uses the same technology, and the kitchen still has four food serving lines.

Today, the building’s aging infrastructure is increasingly showing signs of wear. In the kitchen, one of the four food lines was permanently shut down due to issues with electrical service beneath the floor. Two water main breaks over the past couple of years have forced the school to shut down twice.

The building’s materials exceed their recommended life expectancy, Kevin Quinn, District 120’s Director of Facilities and Maintenance.

“Masonry, glass, and other structural materials are only expected to last approximately 50 years,” Quinn said. “Technology has also changed. Glass block windows aren’t efficient and leak. There is air coming through. If you hold a piece of paper up by the glass blocks, the paper flutters.”

At the heart of the issue are the school’s original mechanical systems. Designed for a time when educational demands were more straightforward, the boiler HVAC system, which was once considered advanced, is now outdated because it can’t transition from heating to cooling without shutting the system down for 72 hours.

This means that the heat remains on during hot spells in spring, resulting in uncomfortable temperatures. Additionally, the cafeteria and gymnasium are not air-conditioned, leading to temperatures rising from 62 degrees in the morning to over 95 degrees mid-afternoon during the hottest days of August and early September. The heat has forced the cancellation of physical education classes due to unsafe conditions.

The school’s electrical and plumbing systems also reflect a bygone era. The electrical infrastructure was designed before modern digital technology, making it inadequate for today’s classrooms, which require reliable access to power for computers and other learning tools. Similarly, the school’s plumbing system is outdated, leading to frequent maintenance issues and system failures such as water main breaks.

This infrastructure, once considered ahead of its time, struggles to align with today's more stringent regulations and expectations. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has implemented modern best practices and additional regulations aimed at improving air quality and ventilation, but Mundelein High School’s systems only meet the most minimal requirements.

As the school district looks to the future, the proposed November 5 referendum offers a pathway toward revitalizing Mundelein High School’s infrastructure. The $149.5 million bond request - along with $50 million not related to this referendum - would provide funding for key improvements, including installing a modern HVAC system, upgrading the electrical infrastructure, and adding critical safety features. These updates would not only bring the school in line with current codes but also ensure that it is prepared to meet future educational demands.

By upgrading the existing structure, the District 120 will extend the life of the school building and create a learning environment that is safe and promotes flexibility and collaboration, enabling students to engage with technology and each other in ways that are essential for success in today’s world.

The school has created a video on its website that discusses the infrastructure needs further. To learn more, visit Mundelein High School’s infrastructure video.

More information about the referendum, including specific projects, benefits, tax impact, ballot language and voting details is available at d120.org/2024-proposal.