Hillside Elementary to relocate to WDM church temporarily

Hillside Elementary students and staff will relocate to Lutheran Church of Hope for the first couple months of the new school year as workers finish a window replacement project at the school.

District officials voted two weeks ago to continue with the replacement project even though it means displacing classes for the first eight to 10 weeks of school. The buildings windows have leaked since the school was first constructed about eight years ago, school officials said. As crews began replacing them earlier this year mold was found along some of the windows and wall boards.

Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, is about five and a half miles west of Hillside, 713 Eighth St.

The church was selected because its large enough to accommodate all of the students and staff, has safe access for buses, and has a large cafeteria area, gym, art and music rooms, according to the districts website.

Superintendent Peter Ansingh has said he understands the inconvenience that relocating classes will have for parents, students and staff, but said that it is in the best interest of everyone involved to have the windows replaced immediately instead of waiting to replace some until next summer.

Our worst fear would be that we get to a point in December or January where the mold has gotten out of hand and then what do we do in terms of relocating all those students? Ansingh said during a recent school board meeting. Its a huge inconvenience for sure, but well be able, we hope, in mid-October to welcome students and staff back to a watertight school.

The district is hosting a series of meetings and events for students and parents before classes resume on Aug. 21, including an informational meeting tonight:

5:30 p.m. tonight Hillside parent meeting at Phenix Early Childhood Center, 415 Seventh St.

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Walk-in registration at Phenix.

Monday, Aug. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social at Lutheran Church of Hope.

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Hillside Elementary to relocate to WDM church temporarily