Hillsboro board selects Bond Architects, outlines facility master plan and HVAC progress

The Hillsboro R-III Board of Education on Tuesday approved Bond Architects, in cooperation with Hollison Miller, to lead a phase-one facility master planning engagement and received an update on an ongoing high school HVAC overhaul.

Superintendent Dr. Isacson told trustees the district will begin a transparent community process around long-term facility needs and financial sustainability but emphasized, “no final ballot proposal is being recommended at this time.” He framed November as the target election if the district moves toward a voter levy, citing higher turnout and community participation.

Administrators described recent emergency HVAC work at the high school: seven rooftop units with failed heat exchangers were replaced over winter to avoid repeated repairs, crews have been working six days a week, new boilers were installed and heat-pump and automation work is scheduled for June and July. The superintendent said the district has accounted for roughly $4.5 million tied to HVAC activity in recent-year reporting and that the project is on track to finish before school starts.

Board members moved and approved the selection of Bond Architects after the administration noted the firm’s experience with facility assessments and referendum planning. Rebecca, a Bond representative, told the board the firm has begun contract negotiations and planned site visits and a kickoff meeting.

The superintendent warned that state funding changes and recent property tax policy moves could reduce state revenue to the district by an estimated $700,000–$850,000 in future budgets, and that debt-service rolloffs have compressed local revenue. He said the district’s tax rate will be lower in the coming year due to retired debt service but that the district must balance keeping a low tax rate with preserving competitive school programs.

Trustees also approved capital and facility-related purchases that accompany the district’s planning work, including library furniture and an early-childhood playground installation. Administrators said those purchases were procured through competitive quotes or cooperative contracts and argued they support ongoing facility upgrades.

What happens next: the board approved moving forward with a structured facility master planning process; no referendum or levy was put before voters at this meeting. Administrators said facility options, timeline milestones and potential ballot decisions would be discussed at upcoming workshops and regular meetings leading up to any November proposal.