High schools in Addison and Villa Park will soon open their doors to the public to showcase a massive renovation plan.

DuPage High School District 88 this week will host the first of two tours of both Addison Trail High School and Willowbrook High School in Villa Park to promote the “Building The Future in District 88” program, a $115 million plan to renovate both schools, that needs to be approved by voters on the Tuesday, April 17, consolidated election ballot to move forward.

District spokeswoman Sherri Amsler said the tours will give the community an opportunity to learn about the needs, scope and cost of the plan and will provide a “behind-the-scenes” look at both schools.

“This is an opportunity for the public to learn about the project, to ask questions, and meet with staff and administrators up close and personally,” Amsler said. “We also will provide a tour of the buildings, and show the participants areas that the public usually doesn’t get to see, such as classrooms and science labs.”

The DuPage High School District 88 School Board approved plans last month to seek $104.7 million in school building bonds to pay for infrastructure improvements to the schools. The owner of a $250,000 home will pay about $140 in additional property taxes over five years beginning in 2008.

The district will contribute about $10 million from its own budget to the plans, said Michael Welch, assistant superintendent for operations.

Forum participants can ask questions and share feedback with administrators, staff and board members during the 45-minute open house, Amsler said.

Guided tours with faculty members and administrators will be offered to provide visitors with a personal look at classrooms and labs, art and music departments, computer labs, and other facilities.

If approved by voters, the proposal would expand and renovate athletic facilities, classrooms, science labs, cafeteria areas, as well as heating and cooling systems and traffic and parking areas at both schools. The project represents 24 months of active evaluation, planning, and prioritization of needs for the schools by community members and staff, Amsler said.

District officials said neither Addison Trail, built in 1966, nor Willowbrook, built in 1959, have had any major work done for 30 years. Voters approved the last building bond for District 88 in 1974, and rejected an advisory referendum to expand both high schools' field houses in 1995.

More information about “Building the Future in District 88” can be viewed on the District 88 Web site at www.dupage88.net.