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Facilities Planning

Facilities Planning for Union Hill School

 

Union Hill School District (UHSD) provides high-quality traditional education for over 700 students from preschool through elementary and middle school. Dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing a safe learning environment that promotes academic excellence, responsible citizenship, and a lifelong desire for learning. Strong traditional schools that nurture successful students improve the quality of life in our community and protect the property value of local homes.

Aging Schools Require Repairs and Upgrades

 

We are proud of the excellent academic opportunities in our Union Hill School and our Bearcat Discovery Preschool, but the quality and condition of the school facilities are not meeting the needs of our students. The Union Hill School District has a rich history, serving the children of our community for almost 160 years. Today, many of our classrooms and other facilities are 85 years old and need repairs and upgrades to support current safety standards and quality student instruction.

 

While school maintenance staff do their best to keep classrooms and school facilities safe and clean, our schools were built to safety and educational standards from a different era. Basic repairs and upgrades are needed to keep UHSD classrooms and facilities safe and functioning for our students.

 

Over the past year, the District met with parents, teachers, staff, and community members to focus on Union Hill School classrooms and facilities. The committee worked with a school architect to create a Facilities Master Plan to prioritize and plan improvements that will provide students with a safe, up-to-date learning environment they need to be successful students and to be prepared for high school and beyond.

 

In December 2025, we sent a postcard to our community and parents asking for input on facility priorities in our classrooms and school facilities. We are grateful for the feedback on our process.

 

While no decisions have been made at this time, the Union Hill School District Board of Trustees is considering placing a $3.2 million school improvement bond measure on the June 2026 ballot to provide funds for the repair and upgrading of Union Hill School. The potential measure is projected to cost taxpayers approximately $30 per $100,000 in assessed (not market) property value while bonds are outstanding. If approved by local voters, funds from the measure could:

 

  • Repair or replace leaky roofs, rusty plumbing, and deteriorating HVAC systems
  • Improve the drop-off/pick-up area to increase student safety near Hwy 174
  • Update classrooms to meet current educational standards
  • Install and upgrade security cameras and exterior lighting

Mandatory Fiscal Accountability

Funding from a potential bond measure would require strict fiscal provisions, including:

  • All funds must be used to repair and improve Union Hill School classrooms and facilities
  • No funds can be taken away by the State or used for other purposes, including administrators’ salaries or pensions
  • A detailed project list showing how funds would be used
  • An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual audits

Your Input is Welcome

 

As UHSD considers options for preparing our schools for the future, we welcome your input. To share your opinions and priorities, or to ask questions, please contact Superintendent Scott Mikal-Heine at [email protected].