NORMAL - Side by side, college football players ripped open cardboard boxes and unpacked the contents, leaving a sea of cardboard behind as Unit 5 readied another school for improvements.

The Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan players will be at several elementary schools this summer as part of the a massive renovation and construction project.

"It's nice to get the two teams to work as one," said Jeff Monahan, the district's construction coordinator. Last week, the students' summer jobs found them at Oakdale Elementary School, but they'll take part in similar work at Glenn and Towanda elementary schools as part of the initial renovation work approved as part of a $96.7 million building and construction referendum.

"Without them (the football players) this summer, we'd be in trouble," he said.

Most days, Monahan visits nine district schools at least once. In addition to keeping an eye on major renovations at three schools, he supervises teams installing geothermal heating and cooling at two schools, and installing portable classrooms at three others.

It's a pretty big crew. The football players were among 50 people at Oakdale who were painting trim, laying carpet, opening boxes, and installing Smart Boards.

ISU football coach Denver Johnson and IWU football coach Norm Eash helped make it possible, he said.

"We really appreciate Unit 5 providing the opportunity for our players to work this summer," Eash said.

The jobs here give the student-athletes time for summer conditioning and weightlifting, Eash said. Unit 5 gave the players some time off this week to work at an IWU youth football camp.

When the halfway mark of summer break passed on July 7, Unit 5's renovation projects were on schedule and moving smoothly.

"We are very happy about that," Monahan said.

The renovations seem to be coming in under the $50,000 budgeted per classroom, but the district is saving money where it can. For example, it hopes to bring in some extra revenue by selling the recyclable high-quality cardboard in which its furniture was packaged.

A total of 70 Smart Boards will be installed as part of interactive technology throughout the district, said Superintendent Gary Niehaus. Classrooms also are getting new doors and windows.

The renovations and new technology will help level the playing field for new and older schools. Board members, Niehaus and parents have emphasized the importance of offering the same resources to all students.

The summer project is a bit easier because of model classrooms the district built last year at Glenn and Oakdale, giving teachers and students the chance to provide feedback. Similarly, model classrooms now are being constructed at other schools.

Construction should be complete by July 25, when furniture can be moved in and finishing touches. Students return Aug. 20.

Architectural plans are in the works for the two elementary schools to open in Bloomington in 2010, a middle school to open in Bloomington in 2111 and an addition to Sugar Creek Elementary School in Normal in 2010. The projects also will be paid for by referendum proceeds.

FYI

Renovations and construction are taking place in every corner of Normal-based Unit 5 School District this summer.

• Portable classrooms are being installed at Grove, Northpoint and Prairieland elementary schools in Normal.

• Geo-thermal heating and cooling systems are being installed at Carlock and Brigham elementary schools.

• Major classroom renovations at Glenn, Towanda and Oakdale elementary schools include carpeting, windows, doors, cabinets, etc., and changes entrances for improved security.

• Individual model classrooms are being installed at Brigham, Carlock, Fairview and Hudson elementary schools.