CARPENTERSVILLE, Illinois — August 11, 2026 — Community Unit School District 300, students, staff, community members, and project partners gathered on August 5 to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the first phase of the Parkview Elementary School Addition & Renovation project, marking a significant milestone in the continued investment in the future of Parkview Elementary School and the students it serves.

The newly completed first phase includes a 17,600-square-foot building addition that expands educational opportunities while enhancing safety, functionality, and the overall student experience. As approximately 500 students prepare to return for the new school year, they will be welcomed into a renewed and enhanced learning environment designed to support both current needs and future generations of Parkview students.

Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees heard remarks about the importance of the project and the impact it will have on current and future students. During her remarks, Dr. Martina Smith, Superintendent of Community Unit School District 300, highlighted several features of the addition that were intentionally designed to enhance the student experience, improve safety, and support learning.

Among the features highlighted were improved student pick-up and drop-off circulation, enhanced building security through safer entrances, specialized instructional and support spaces, a new media center, and flexible spaces designed to serve students' evolving needs.

The addition includes a new media center, specialized instructional and support spaces, a renovated cafeteria, and a multipurpose room that will soon provide students with a flexible gathering and activity space, including opportunities for indoor recess and recreation during Illinois' inclement weather.

The project also introduces a dynamic outdoor learning environment centered around a thoughtfully designed courtyard that incorporates music, tactile experiences, and opportunities for collaborative learning. Visibility was a critical design consideration throughout the courtyard's development, allowing staff to maintain clear sightlines and supervise students from multiple vantage points while encouraging exploration, creativity, and engagement.

While today's ribbon-cutting celebrates a major milestone, the project is not yet complete. Future phases will focus on renovations within the existing school building. Planned improvements include modernizing instructional spaces, upgrading building systems, continuing HVAC improvements, and enhancements that will further support the learning experience while improving the facility's long-term performance and efficiency. The phased approach allows District 300 to continue investing in Parkview while maintaining an active learning environment for students and staff.

For Lamp Incorporated, the project represents more than another school construction project. It is the continuation of a relationship that spans generations.

A dedication plaque preserved within the school commemorates Lamp Construction Co. of Elgin as the general contractor for the original Parkview School, erected in 1953. The company incorporated in 1954 and later became today's Lamp Incorporated. Over the decades, Lamp returned to Parkview for additional improvements and renovations, serving as construction manager on multiple projects between 2001 and 2018. The expansion celebrated today represents the most significant transformation of the facility in recent history.

Celebrating this milestone, more than 70 years after the school's original construction, carries special meaning for the company.

For generations, Lamp has worked alongside Community Unit School District 300 to help create and improve learning environments that serve students, educators, and families. The completion of this milestone at Parkview is especially meaningful because it reflects a long-standing partnership focused on supporting educational opportunities and strengthening the communities both organizations serve.

The Parkview project reflects not only Lamp's long history with the district, but also the deep connection between the Lamp family and the communities D300 serves. Multiple generations of the Lamp family have attended District 300 schools, and Ian Lamp, President of Lamp Incorporated, grew up in nearby Sleepy Hollow.

"As someone who grew up in this community and attended District 300 schools, this project, like all of our District 300 projects, is especially meaningful to me," said Ian Lamp, President of Lamp Incorporated. "The Lamp family has longstanding ties to District 300, and our company has been fortunate to work alongside the district for many decades. To stand here today and see students benefiting from a school that our company originally helped build in 1953 is incredibly rewarding."

"Just as meaningful is the opportunity to support the educators, administrators, support staff, and district leaders who dedicate themselves every day to helping students succeed and preparing for the future of this community. Buildings provide the framework, but it is the people inside them who make a lasting difference. We are honored to help create spaces that support their work and will serve students, families, and the District 300 community for generations to come."

From its original construction in 1953 to today's modern expansion, Parkview Elementary School continues to evolve alongside the community it serves. The completion of this first phase marks an important step in ensuring the school remains a safe, flexible, and inspiring place for learning while preserving its legacy for generations to come.

Project Team

Owner: Community Unit School District 300
Construction Manager: Lamp Incorporated
Architect: Dewberry Architects Inc.
Location: Parkview Elementary School, Carpentersville, Illinoi

About Lamp Incorporated

Lamp Incorporated, founded in 1933 by Clifford Lamp, is a third-generation, family-owned and operated construction services firm based in Elgin, Illinois. Serving clients throughout Northern Illinois and the greater Chicago region, Lamp provides preconstruction, construction management, general contracting, and design/build services across a diverse range of sectors, including education, healthcare, municipal, commercial, industrial, and religious facilities. Known for its collaborative approach and commitment to community engagement, Lamp partners closely with clients to deliver high-quality projects that create lasting value and strengthen the communities it serves.

Media Contact: 

Ms. Kari Christensen | Marketing

kchristensen@lampinc.net

(847) 741-7220 x 315

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