Hillsboro R-III board approves intermediate playground design after student presentations
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Summary
The Hillsboro R-III Board of Education approved Hutchison Recreation & Design to build a new intermediate playground, funding the $255,919 contract across two fiscal years after students and staff described the need and the district secured grant and fundraising support.
The Hillsboro R-III School District Board of Education voted to approve Hutchison Recreation & Design as the vendor for the Hillsborough Intermediate playground project, approving a motion amended to a contract price of $255,919 with funding allocated across the 2024–25 and 2025–26 fiscal years.
Board members discussed prior grant applications and local fundraising before the vote. The board packet noted a $20,000 award from the Jefferson Foundation and additional fundraising conducted by the intermediate school to offset project costs. District staff said the remainder will come from district capital funds spread over two fiscal years.
The vote followed a presentation by teachers and student leaders who helped select playground features and who read persuasive essays in support of the project. Fifth grader Albert Jackson Foreman asked the board to invest in equipment that would help students’ social and physical development, saying in part, “Here at Hillsborough Intermediate, we have almost no equipment to play with at recess. I believe it's time to make a change and improve our playground.” Other students recommended swings, a gaga ball pit and a rock wall, and student council members participated in reviewing vendor renderings.
Board members noted the project had been under development for several years and that staff had worked to identify grants and community fundraising. One board member moved to amend the selection motion to the higher contract amount after updated pricing, and another member seconded that amendment before the board approved the contract as amended.
The district will proceed with phase 1 this fiscal year and complete phase 2 in the following fiscal year. Board materials said the Jefferson Foundation grant was awarded in December and that intermediate-level fundraising also contributed roughly $20,000 toward the work. The superintendent and building staff will coordinate final invoicing and release of payments after project milestones and invoices are received.
The board approved the playground vendor and amended contract without recorded opposition.