HILLSDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Modernizing the Middle School
VOTE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
At the Hillsdale Public Schools, we are proud to be a place where our students can continue to thrive through lifelong learning inside the classroom and outside in our community. For many of our learners, the George G. White Middle School serves as an important next step in their academic journey.
The middle school is a cornerstone of our town. At over 100 years old, it needs significant renovation to provide a modern educational environment and more instructional space as our district continues to grow.
This is an opportunity to modernize George G. White Middle School, celebrate our learners past and present, and innovate for the future!
After listening to extensive feedback, the Board and administration developed a proposal that met three goals:
Reduce the overall cost.
Qualify for more state aid.
Save the existing George White Middle School.
August 7: Virtual Forum with Public Q&A
Join our virtual forum on Wednesday, August 7 to learn about the plan to modernize George G. White Middle School and how the Board of Education developed the proposal with extensive community feedback. It will include the opportunity for questions from the public.
To send a question in advance or throughout the evening of the forum: please email vote2024@hillsdaleschools.com.
The event will start at 7 p.m. Use this Zoom link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82172460806
If you cannot attend, the forum will be recorded for future viewing and posted on this website.
Speakers will include Hillsdale Public Schools’ administrative staff and professional advisors who helped develop the new plan.
For referendum updates and other school/district news, follow us on Facebook @HillsdalePublicSchools!
Community engagement guided this plan.
Beginning in June of 2023, the Board of Education and district administration went back to the community for more extensive feedback. They listened to residents’ financial concerns and worked together to consider what options could move Hillsdale forward. Multiple "Referendum Options Considerations” meetings were open to all Hillsdale residents and provided opportunities for them to make suggestions.
These engaging discussions narrowed the focus to three options.
- Option 1 – Renovate GW and build classrooms at both elementary schools to move 5th grade back to them.
This is a more expensive option than Option #3 and construction would disrupt all three schools (Ann Blanche Smith School, Meadowbrook, and GW).
- Option 2 – Renovate GW, add a one-story wing there, and build classrooms at both elementary schools to move 5th grade back to them.
This is the most expensive option and construction would disrupt all three schools (Ann Blanche Smith School, Meadowbrook, and GW).
- Option 3 – Renovate GW and add a two-story wing there. This option emerged as the bond referendum's focus.
This is the least expensive option and construction would be contained to only one school’s campus. It maximizes the opportunity for state aid, which was identified as a priority during community feedback sessions.
Cost was a deciding factor for many of our residents, and we valued this important feedback throughout each public meeting and the process of developing the new proposal.
The new plan has estimated costs of $62.4 million -- including renovations, a temporary modular campus, and a six-classroom addition. likely cost approximately $62 million. That's $20.3 million less than the 2023 plan, and it is eligible for $18 million in state aid (compared to $5.4 million in 2023).
This plan would resolve long-standing challenges of the middle school, meet student needs for decades, and allow for potential enrollment increases. Financial details are here.
The ballot offers choices.
The Board of Education asks voters to head to the polls for a bond proposal on Tuesday, September 17. Like the last referendum, the ballot ask voters if the school district can borrow funds through the sale of bonds.
Board members split GW’s needs into two questions on the same ballot to separate the need for renovation of the existing, old school and the need to add more instructional space.
QUESTION 1 proposes full renovation of the existing structure of GW, including rebuilding the cafetorium/multipurpose room (MPR) and adding two classrooms. The question includes funding for the costs of modular, prefabricated classrooms for use during construction.
QUESTION 2 proposes the construction of a new, two-story wing with six classrooms, including some sized for the group interaction and instructional materials commonly used in STEM and/or Robotics lessons. That would add about 30,000 square feet and connect the main school building and the Gymnasium.
How can the community learn more more?
There are multiple opportunities for residents to learn about the plan.
This website will be the primary source of information. It will be updated with dates for info sessions and with new FAQs.
Follow our new Facebook page @HillsdalePublicSchools for information about the referendum and other school/district news.
A virtual forum will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 7. Use this Zoom link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82172460806
A presentation and public Q & A will be part of the Board of Education meeting on at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 in the Multi-Purpose Room of Meadowbrook School (50 Piermont Ave.).