Council Rock Approves Renovations For Hillcrest Elementary

NEWTOWN, PA — During its school board meeting Thursday, the Council Rock School Board voted to approve renovations for Hillcrest Elementary School and a turf field at Council Rock High School South while opting to delay remedial work at Richboro Elementary School and Sol Feinstone Elementary School.

The board voted 6-3 to approve $17.6 million in additions and renovations for Hillcrest Elementary School. Board members Michael Thorwart, Denise Brooks, Mariann McKee, Joseph Hidalgo, Kristin Marcell and Ed Salamon voted in favor of the measure, while Andy Block, Mark Byelich and Edward Tate casted dissenting votes.

The board also voted 5-4 to begin work on a $4.2 million project for a turf field at Council Rock High School South. Thorwart, Brooks, Hidalgo, Marcell and Salamon supported that measure, while Block, Byelich, Tate, and McKee were against it.

Parents of Sol Feinstone students are no doubt disappointed to learn that the board voted 6-3 to delay $27 million in renovations and additions there until at least next year, citing financial concerns. Byelich, Thorwart, Brooks, Hidalgo, Marcell and Salamon voted to delay, while Block, Tate and McKee had sought to get the renovations approved.

The board also voted unanimously to delay renovations for Richboro Elementary School, which would have cost roughly $18.3 million.

Superintendent Robert Fraser had said he believed it would be financially feasible for the district to begin work on both Hillcrest and Sol Feinstone concurrently, and while all board members agreed that the work was needed, they also expressed concerns about the district's financial outlook.

The Council Rock School District is facing an $8 million budget deficit if it chooses to raise taxes by 3 percent in next year's budget or a $13 million deficit if they don't increase taxes, Business Administration Director Bill Stone said. The deadline for Pennsylvania school districts to pass a budget for next year is June 30.

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