Hilton residents will have a chance to vote on the largest capital project in the history of the Hilton School District, December 4. The $58 million project is more than five times as costly as the last capital project, which began in 1996.

Despite the steep price tag, Superintendent John Cooper said it is the "right project at the right time."

"We've been told that we're at the high water mark for aid with the state covering more than 70 percent of this project," said Cooper. School officials warn that this percentage of state aid may not be available next year if this proposal is not approved.

The capital project centers around three main issues: safety, security and the ability to meet increased academic standards. Some of the improvements include moving to a full-day kindergarten program, adding a pre-kindergarten program, upgrades in safety and security by changing traffic patterns and restructuring entrances, classroom additions and renovations and technology upgrades throughout each facility.

One thing on the list for the Merton Williams School is a new library/media center. Carol Stehm, the school's principal, said this addition is needed because the current library facility is too small. "Once you bring in a class you can't have other students in the library," said Stehm.

A lack of learning space is felt at the school as well. Cooper said students with resource needs have been working with their instructors in closet spaces.

If passed, Stehm said the capital project would have a dramatic influence on Merton Williams. "It would provide an amazing impact as far as advancement and our ability to work with kids by providing them with an education for the 21st century," said Stehm. "I hope that (with these changes) we will be considered one of the exemplar junior highs in Monroe County."

Cooper said a great deal of the project's focus is on the elementary level students to help them get best prepared to meet the increased state standards.

With the state picking up a large portion of the project, the Hilton area will be left with nearly $16 million. For taxpayers that would mean:
•$100,000 home - Basic STAR - $56/yr. first four years, $34 average over 20 years.
•$100,000 home - Senior STAR - $40/yr. first four years, $25 average over 20 years.
•$100,000 home - No STAR - $80/yr. first four years, $49 average over 20 years.

To educate voters on what the capital project would mean for the school district, Cooper and others have hit the road to give as many presentations as possible. To date, he has given more than 60 presentations.

Barbara Carder Pierce, director of communications, said the presentations have been met with a great deal of interest and support. "At this point there is no opposition that we can detect," said Carder Pierce. "Our goal is to have as many people go to the polls as possible."

MaryBess Jennejahn, village resident and former teacher's aid in the Hilton School District for 21 years, will be at the polls, but she's not sure yet how she will vote.

Jennejahn, who also sent four children through the school district, said she needs to do some more research before she casts her vote. "Naturally we want what is best for the children," said Jennejahn. However, Jennejahn said she believes that in the past Hilton has spent some money unwisely on experimental programs like not having any walls in the High School and the multi-age grouping program that took place in the 1970s.

"They're constantly conducting experiments," said Jennejahn. "It seems to me that they're spending too much money on this."

However, with grandchildren on their way to Hilton, Jennejahn is all for improving the elementary education program by adding the pre-kindergarten program. The leadership that Cooper has provided the district with also excites her.

"I think he is wonderful," said Jennejahn. "It has been a long time since we've had such a down to earth guy. I hope we never let him go."

Project scope synopsis

• Improved entrance, commons, foyer, main offices
• Safety and security enhancement
• New technology, art, home and careers, chemistry and physics labs
• Increased parking spaces, improved traffic pattern with specific entrances separating buses, parent drop off, faculty and staff parking
• New and renovated classrooms, cafeterias, technology updates and maintenance, music rehearsal, PE fitness center
• Renovated guidance and health areas
• New Alternative High School classroom
• All-weather competition track, lacrosse field

Merton Williams Middle School

• Improved entrance, main offices
• Safety and security enhancements
• Increased parking, traffic management, separate entrances for buses, parent drop-off and faculty/staff parking
• New interchangeable classrooms, special education, science classroom renovations, technology updates and maintenance
• Reconfigure guidance offices in renovated location
• New library/media center
• Expansion of pool to new, eight-lane with diving well and bleacher seating for 200 spectators
• New fitness center, reconfigure existing locker rooms

Village Elementary School

• Seven new full-day kindergarten classrooms; one pre-kindergarten classroom; 10 interchangeable classrooms; two special education classrooms and the creation of two houses - primary and intermediate
• Technology updates and maintenance
• Site work to address improved parking, traffic and pedestrian safety by creating three separate entrances for buses, parent drop-off and faculty/staff parking; School Lane would no longer be a thoroughfare; faculty/staff parking would be accessed through Hojack Lane
• New gymnasium/assembly space with bleacher seating for 250
• Safety and security enhancements with entry canopy

Quest Elementary School

• Full-day and pre-kindergarten programs; safety and security enhancements
• Technology updates and maintenance
• $1,927,000 in infrastructure maintenance; site improvements to create separate bus, parent drop- off, faculty/staff parking and entrance to district buildings & grounds

Northwood Elementary School

• Six new full-day kindergarten classrooms; one pre-kindergarten classroom; one interchangeable classroom
• Technology updates and maintenance
• Increased acoustical treatment for classrooms
• Relocate main offices for increased security
• Addition of a 1,500 square foot cafeteria/large group infrastructure room
• Site work to separate bus loop, parent drop-off and faculty/staff parking; new parking lot

For those who will have difficulty going out to vote, contact Board of Education Clerk Pat Unterborn at 392-1000 ext. 7099 for information on voting.