As the final tally was announced Tuesday evening to a room of cheering school district employees, John Cooper, Hilton Superintendent, leaned back in his chair and donned a construction helmet.

With a vote of 1,364 in favor, and 745 opposed, the $58 million capital project was approved - and Cooper knew his work was just beginning. The positive vote takes the largest project in Hilton history to the State Education Department to determine the level of state funding.

While there is much work on the horizon, Cooper and his compatriots saved Tuesday evening for celebration. "I'm very pleased with the capital project vote outcome - a nearly two-to-one vote approval," said Cooper. "It says the community is solidly behind education in Hilton."

David Dimbleby, Hilton High School principal, said he is excited by what this proposal will mean to the high school, as it gets ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. "I think it is significant in that it updates the building," said Dimbleby. "It also, in some areas, creates state-of-the-art facilities."

Dimbleby said the project will create top-notch facilities in the areas of science and technology; while making the building a model for its security and safety.

School officials said the district-wide project focuses on three main issues: safety, security and the ability to meet increased academic standards. It also includes an all-weather competition track, lacrosse field, fitness center and swimming pool.

David Fisher, school board president, said the voter turnout indicated broad community support. "To get 2,100 voters out here was a tremendous achievement," said Fisher. "We were confident that this proposal had the things that would be valuable in terms of education, safety and security."

With the vote approval, the capital project will move forward. Cooper said the committee was scheduled to meet December 6 with architects to determine further details and planning for project phasing.

"We now will work hard the next four years to bring this project to completion," said Cooper.