BEMENT, Ill. (WCIA) — Much needed renovations in one Piatt County school district have been years in the making.

The Bement School Board approved a $2 million project last month, and the work is already starting. Soon, students and teachers will feel the benefits.

Right now, students have to walk outside to get from the main campus to the industrial building.
Mary Vogt, Bement’s Superintendent, said that not only is this a safety concern, it’s not ideal for Midwest winters when the weather can drop to the single digits. So, they’re building an addition to enclose that section.

They’re also putting air conditioning in the gym and the newly built addition will have ADA accessible entrances and restrooms.

Vogt said that it’s a project she’s been working on since she stepped into the role in 2022. However, she said that it goes even further back than her.

The $2 million needed for these upgrades are coming from a donation from the estate of a Bement alum, along with local and grant funds, and working cash bonds. Vogt believes this project is bigger than just the physical upgrades.

“It’s not just about the brick and mortar, what we’re trying to do is not only maintain our facilities, but provide a safe environment for our students, now and in the future,” Vogt shared.

She said that the property tax impact is small. It’s just about a $4 increase a year on a $100,000 home.

The air conditioning project is scheduled to be done at the end of this October and the addition should be finished by July 2026. Vogt also shared that while the addition is a visible project, and you’ll feel the air conditioning upgrade, they’ve also completed projects not as visible to the community.

They’ve improved internet speed and reliability, replaced technology in classrooms and for teachers and students, and replaced the security camera system.