The Opportunity

Meridian Community Unit School District 223 (MCUSD 223) serves more than 1,800 students. The School Board wished to enhance safety, security and reliability, while protecting and extending the useful life of District assets. Faced with ongoing challenges caused by aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance, the Board sought a long-term partnership that would make the necessary improvements while increasing the longevity and reliability of its facilities.

The Partnership

In 2016, MCUSD 223 partnered with ENGIE Services U.S. (ENGIE) to implement over $9.16 million in capital improvements under a single turnkey, guaranteed program, completely funded through the ISBE Health Life Safety process. In coordination with the District Architect, ENGIE’s local, experienced team designed the program and installed the upgrades as a Health Life Safety project. ENGIE uncovered opportunities for vital infrastructure improvements to reduce ongoing costs, while improving performance.

At two schools, deteriorating, crumbling pavement created a safety hazard for students and motorists while other areas of the parking lot had inadequate drainage, creating water and ice accumulation. Several areas had underlying soil issues, causing uneven pavement which created trip and fall hazards. Buses regularly jumped the curb due to the narrow curb radius, which posed yet another safety hazard. ENGIE redesigned and replaced the main driveways and parking lots, boosting safety, reducing future repairs, and decreasing the risk of damage to vehicles. At three schools, roofing systems were in poor condition and in need of replacement.

ENGIE installed new roofs to improve insulation and reduce future repair and maintenance requirements. The new roofs provide superior energy and environmental performance with long-term durability expected to last more than 30 years.


– Dr. PJ Caposey, Superintendent

In order to resolve security, reliability, and integrity issues due to the existing communications systems, ENGIE removed existing cabling systems and installed a new fiber-optic backbone, new Ethernet cabling, wireless access points, and an axis network security system at all four schools. The upgraded IT infrastructure improves voice and network capabilities and provides the District with a new, reliable network security camera system to improve safety and security.

ENGIE modernized two gymnasiums by designing and providing new bleachers and seating with guard rails, improving both safety and occupant comfort. Additionally, ENGIE installed an integral power system for easy adjustment by District staff.

3 Dimensions of Impact

ENGIE is committed to building three dimensions of impact in every customer’s future:

• Supporting People
• Saving Money
• Protecting the Environment

The successful collaboration between MCUSD 223 and ENGIE delivered key infrastructure upgrades, resulting in safer, more reliable, and more comfortable places to learn and work. ENGIE made all improvements with no disruptions to school programming in a rapid one summer construction period. This comprehensive program freed the administration to focus on education while ENGIE handled the project, while cascading positive financial benefits and saving energy.