DANVILLE — The Danville school board has accepted a $3.124 million bid package for additions and renovations to the high school.

The unanimous vote marks the next step in updating the historic high school building.

At July’s board meeting, one bid package came back at $3.675 million. It was “well over the estimate,” Danville Supt. Jason Snively said, by roughly $1 million.

Architectural firm SHP, who prepared the project for the school district, presented a new bid package at August’s board meeting — bringing the estimated project price down significantly.

The 4,800 square-foot, two-story addition would create a secure ADA-accessible entryway into the high school. There would also be an ADA elevator, two meeting rooms, two individual restrooms and administrative spaces.

Roughly 500 square-foot of space will be renovated in the existing building. One of the renovations will be adding new kitchens, cabinets and flooring to the family consumer science lab, Snively said.

Meeting rooms will be on the second level, Snively said.

“The two real objectives of the addition is number one to provide a safe and secure entryway throughout the day,” Snively said.

“All students and guests will enter through that addition where it’s only accessible in one way and everyone has to be checked in and out.”

Elevator will the flow of student traffic

The second objective, Snively said, is for the elevator to provide ADA accessibility to the three levels of the existing high school. 

The elevator will replace the high school’s stairlift, which takes up an entire stairwell when used.

“If you have to go from the bottom floor to the top floor, it probably takes you a good five, six minutes and it’s not that we have any individuals right now that are in a wheelchair or anything, but we have oftentimes had students on crutches, due to sports injuries or just random injuries outside of school,” Snively said.

“It prevents the whole flow of students up and down during those three-minute class exchange times.”

When will the expansion be complete?

The interior renovation is expected to be finished by Aug. 8, 2025.

The completion date for additions is Sept.19, 2025, including the creation of a corridor in the existing high school building to get elevator access.