Alvin H. Butz Inc. has been selected as construction manager for renovation projects planned for buildings throughout Parkland School District.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak said, during the board's April 16 meeting, administrators interviewed applicants who responded to the request for proposal.

After narrowing down the field to four finalists, Butz came to the top, Sniscak said.

He said the district will pay Butz approximately $850,000 over a three-year period.

Funds will be from a $24-million borrowing action authorized by the board for a capital improvement plan developed from a feasibility study done by USA Architects.

For the first and second years of the projects $10 million is allocated for each year. The remainder will be as needed.

Capital improvements are designed to maintain schools, as well as to avoid issues in the future if buildings are not cared for and not upgraded properly.

As Kratzer Elementary has not been renovated since 1991, this building is receiving highest priority.

The list of improvements for Kratzer includes repairs to the roof, windows, acoustical tiles, driveway, kitchen, electrical system, HVAC and asbestos abatement.

The design phase and pre-construction work are already underway, with major activity to begin in summer.

Completion of the Kratzer overhaul is expected by August 2015.

Borrowed funds will also be used for a new district phone system, a new surveillance camera system and general repairs at various buildings.

In other business, Sniscak reported 449 children have been registered for kindergarten starting in September, an increase of 17 over last year.

For planning purposes, another 10 percent is added to account for people moving into the district before the start of the new term.

The board accepted the resignation of Jane Barthold, assistant principal at Parkland High School, who is retiring after a 34-year career in education.

Board members Roberta Marcus and David Kennedy were absent from the meeting as they were attending the National School Boards Association conference in San Diego, Calif.