Hillside board approves $1.3 million in buildings and grounds projects, including auditorium electrical upgrade and accessibility work

The Hillside Public School District Board of Education approved three capital projects under its buildings and grounds agenda, including an electrical upgrade at the high school to support air conditioning in the auditorium, a classroom addition at Energy Taylor Academy and installation of barrier‑free access for a student who cannot use stairs.

The board moved and passed items 1 through 3 under buildings and grounds after a brief explanation from the superintendent. The superintendent said, “Motion number 1 specifically speaks to upgrading electrical at the high school so that we can add air conditioning and other upgrades to the auditorium. So something that's been in need and for a long time at the high school.” He described project 2 as the classroom addition at Energy Taylor Academy and project 3 as required barrier‑free access for a student who is unable to walk between levels.

Board members conducted a roll call and approved the items. The board-approved work is part of an approximately $1,300,000 package for capital improvements that was discussed while the motion was presented.

The board did not provide additional line‑item detail in the public discussion recorded in the transcript about contractors, exact budget breakdowns, or construction timelines. The superintendent framed the projects as targeted upgrades to address long‑standing facility needs and a specific accessibility requirement for a student.

The motion was presented during the buildings and grounds portion of the meeting and approved by roll call vote. The transcript does not record a separate amendment or conditions attached to the approvals.