HILL CITY — Now the work begins: That is the attitude in the Graham County USD 281 school district after voters approved a $7.65 million bond for facility improvements.
The bond issue, which passed 62 percent to 38 percent, will be used to upgrade the aging heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at both the elementary and high schools. Upgrades at both buildings also will include installing new windows at the high school and energy efficiency improvements.
The district also will make improvements to the elementary school playground, and the parking lot at the high school will be resurfaced. The upgrades will also include the creation of 92 parking spaces close to the building and spaces for handicap access and ADA compliance.
USD 281 Superintendent Jim Hickel said the next step is to review the projects with the architect and set the final aspects of the project before sending it out for bids.
“We’re planning to have everything ready to go by the end of the school year so we can get the bulk of everything done over the summer,” Hickel said.
He estimates the project will be done by the middle of September or October.
In 2009, voters defeated a similar bond issue.
Hickel said the district had proposed a few additional projects including a new gym in 2009, but he said that was a point of contention among voters and was left off this year’s bond proposal.
They have proposed a new all-weather track and new restroom and concession facility at Ringneck Stadium.
Hickel also said this time around more people helped to get the message out and more people were interested in “getting something done.”
He added several people who helped with the issue in 2009 took part in the latest effort and help to spread the word.
“We had several people out in the community presenting information at just about every social gathering,” Hickel said.
As to why their bond issued passed while many others around the state were defeated, he said every community is different but from his perspective, “we just had a large group of people that wanted to get something done and saw the need and pushed through.”