In November 2013, the voters in the Forest Hills Public School District approved a $45 million bond issue to address technology, security and building improvements. At the March 2014 meeting of the Board of Education, the Board authorized the district to move forward in issuing $25 million in the first series of bonds. The remaining $20 million will be issued in one or more series in the future. The first bond sale secured an interest rate of 2.9%. What does that mean? It represents the clarity of the marketplace and the commitment and support of investors who recognize that Forest Hills Public Schools is a good, solid investment. Additionally with this low interest rate, homeowners may actually witness a slight decrease in their property taxes.
Community Update – Part 4: Investing in Our Future
updated Aug. 1, 2015
Building improvements are continuing at some of our buildings during August. Work continues at the Fine Arts Center, the Community, Aquatic and Senior Citizens Center, and on the campus of Forest Hills Eastern high school and middle school. Some playgrounds also are receiving upgrades as represented in the pictures below. Here is just a sampling of some of the updated pictures on our projects this summer.
Fine Arts Center
Some Playground Updates
Forest Hills Eastern Additional Gymnasium
Community Update – Part 3: Investing in Our Future
updated June 1, 2015
During the summer of 2015, you’ll notice building improvements primarily occurring at the Fine Arts Center, the Community, Aquatic and Senior Citizens Center, and on the campus of Forest Hills Eastern high school and middle school. Once school is out for the summer, some roof repair will occur at Central Middle School. Additionally this summer, playgrounds will receive upgrades, to include, but not limited to, ADA compliance. In the area of technology, wireless network expansions will continue. Audio upgrades will also take place in kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms. Here is just a look at some the projects underway.
The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center: The fly loft above the stage will be repaired. This includes installing new roof flashing at all sides of the building in preparation of new metal panels (pictured below). Also, the lobby floors in the FAC will be refinished during the summer. Summer Stock, the FHPS’ summer theater production troupe, will have their final shows at the FAC; however, musical practices and rehearsals will be housed elsewhere.
The Forest Hills Community, Aquatic and Senior Citizens Center: The roof will be repaired, a vapor barrier will be added to the exterior walls underneath the existing brick, and the exterior brick will be repaired as well.
Forest Hills Eastern high school and middle school: Work has begun on the creation of the additional gymnasium on this campus. Due to the new gymnasium, a new parking area near the tennis courts will be added.
Community Update – Part 2: Investing in Our Future
updated, November, 2014
Most of the bond work has been finalized from all the projects happening during the summer months. Here’s a look at some of the most recent bond projects completed and those that are scheduled to be completed soon.
Download FHPS COMMUNITY BOND UPDATE
Community Update – Part 1: Investing in Our Future
updated, May, 2014
Building Improvements: This is where a majority of the bond work is occurring during the summer of 2014. Some of the bond improvement work includes replacing boilers, chillers and hot water heaters; parking lot and pavement improvements; and some roof replacements. Additional building improvements happening this summer include replacing the turf field at Central High, improving the tennis courts at Northern and Eastern high schools, and addressing site drainage at numerous schools. The tennis court construction projects will take the entire summer, as it takes the cement over 30 days to completely cure once it is poured. Finally this summer, the district will begin an extensive review of all of our elementary playgrounds—with specific focus on accessibility/disability issues—with playground improvements slated for the summer of 2015. We will go out to bid in the fall of 2014 for the auxiliary gym on the campus at Eastern Middle and High school.
Photo Gallery:
Safety & Security: In addition to retrofitting electronic door hardware and improving some parking lot lighting, the main project is the renovation and creation of a new secure entrance to the Eastern Middle and High school building.
Technology: This summer, we will make enhancements to the district’s technological infrastructure. Here is a brief description:
- Increase Internet bandwidth from 150 Mbps to 300 Mbps.
- Begin an 18-month project of upgrading all aspects of the wireless network to accommodate more devices and faster speeds.
- Replace all elementary computer labs with new devices.
- Replace world language netbooks with new devices.
- Add additional end-user devices in several schools to equalize device-to-student ratios, support the potential of online testing, and integrate more technology at the classroom level.
THANK YOU Forest Hills residents for helping us maintain and improve our schools. If you have questions pertaining to bond projects within the FHPS district, please call, (616) 493-8804.