CFAC 2-minute videos: Community Growth
This is one in a series of 2-minute videos highlighting the findings of the Community Facilities Advisory Committee that the Hamilton School Board commissioned in October to review growth and facilities needs in the district. Our first topic is community growth.
The communities of the Hamilton School District are growing. At least 1,757 residential lots have been approved for development, and more subdivisions are expected. Villages, cities and towns — not the school district — approve subdivisions, but schools must accommodate the increased student enrollments that new community development brings. In the next five years, enrollment in the Hamilton School District is projected to increase from 4,980 students to 5,260 – an increase of 280 students.
Growth is not new for the district. The district has undertaken dozens of additions and renovations, along with the construction of three new buildings to keep up with the consistent enrollment growth that we have experienced in the past three decades.
The most recent new school built was Silver Spring Intermediate School, which voters approved in a 2018 referendum. Silver Spring alleviated enrollment pressures at the middle and elementary schools. In that same referendum, classrooms were added to the high school expanding capacity there.
Looking forward, all schools except for Lannon elementary are positioned well to handle new students. Subdivisions approved in the eastern portion of the district, however, will bring students to Lannon that will put it over capacity and accelerate Marcy’s enrollment. One potential solution to anticipated crowding at Lannon considered by the facilities committee is construction of a new elementary school that would accommodate the Lannon attendance area as well as a few newly-approved subdivisions from the Marcy. This would ensure that both schools would continue to provide suitable space for students.. Lannon School could then be the location for the district’s 4-year-old kindergarten program which is now housed at Willow Springs Learning Center.
Stay tuned for another 2-minute video next week.