Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable..

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.

HAMILTON — More facility improvements are on the way at Hamilton Community Schools.

Monday, the school board authorized Superintendent Anthony Cassel to move forward and sign a contract with Byrne and Jones for upgrades to the district’s track and field facility.

“To the best of our knowledge, 2005, we believe, was the last time that our track has been touched,” Cassel said.

“That would have been a rubber coating that’s supposed to be done every four to five years and has not been done in 17.”

Cassel said the district is looking at installing a polyurethane track, which is different than spray-coated asphalt. It would include a black mat surface with a structural spray surface. The structural spray is replaced every seven to eight years, Cassel said.

By comparison, a rubber spray surface has a four-to-five-year lifespan, Cassel added.

Cassel said the track would have a blue structural spray, representing the Hamilton Marines’ color.

Cassel said milling work and installing overlay has a cost of $219,000. The track surface rubber coating and structural spray has a cost of $294,000 and an additional $22,000 for the blue color.

“It’s going to give us a track that’s going to last a good long time,” Cassel said.

He noted the district has hosted several large meets.

“We want to continue to do that,” he added.

Cassel said Lakewood Park Christian School also uses Hamilton’s track for practices.

Cassel said the project would be financed mostly through the rainy day fund.

“We can utilize that for grounds improvements and this is definitely a needed ground improvement,” Cassel added.

Work will take place next summer and into the fall, the board heard.

• The board conducted a public hearing on the proposed 2023 budget, which totals $8.8 million. It includes: $2.17 million in the referendum fund; $875,000 in the rainy day fund; $273,524 in the debt service fund; $3.15 million in the education fund; and $2.31 million in the operations fund.

Cassel said the projected tax rate always is estimated higher than what it finally is set at.

“For example, last year, our projected rate initially was $1.16 (per $100 of assessed valuation). It ended up being 83 cents. The adopted budget was $7.3 million last year. This year, our projected rate is $1.08, so it’s actually eight cents less than our projected rate was last year. But our budget is going up to $8.8 million … and most of that is actually cash balance. It’s not an increase in taxes,” Cassel said.

Cassel said the budget includes capital projects “that are long overdue for our buildings.”

Cassel said the district will use its cash balance to take care of some of these expenses.

In addition to track and field facility improvements, other capital projects include replacing bleachers in the back gym, sidewalk repairs, replacing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the kitchen, door remodeling and replacement and restroom and locker room updates, the board heard.

“When you see $8.8 million, an increase of $1.5 million, a lot of that is in projects that are coming out of cash balance or rainy day for the building,” Cassel said.

“We’re actually anticipating a little bit of a reduction in the rate this year from last year’s rate,” Cassel added.

“We’re hoping to have it at 80 cents or a little bit below.”

Cassel noted that the district’s new tennis courts came in at $78,000 under budget, which left $78,000 in the rainy day fund that the district had anticipated using.

The board will adopt the budget in October.

• The board approved a social studies trip to Washington, D.C. during fall break of 2023 for seventh- and eighth-graders. The trip will include a stop in Gettysburg as well as visits to the National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, Arlington, Pentagon City, the U.S. Capitol, the monuments and memorials, and museums. The board also approved fundraising for the trip, which will cost $791 per student.

The board also approved adding three new programs in the district. A gymnastics program for middle school girls will begin this school year. More than 20 students have expressed an interest, Cassel said.

A high school fishing club through the Student Angler Federation will be offered. Ten students have expressed interest, Cassel added. Students are assessed a one-time $25 fee and there is no cost to the school, the board heard.

The board also approved teaching archery as part of the middle school physical education curriculum through the National Archery in the Schools program. There is a start-up cost of about $3,600, with all but $500 covered through grant opportunities, Cassel said. The program also allows the school to have an archery club, the board heard.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Cassel said.

• Cassel reported student enrollment continues to increase. This year’s Average Daily Membership student count took place Friday, showing enrollment of 371 students. That is an increase of 90 students from four years ago, Cassel said.

• In personnel matters, the board approved hiring bus drivers Dawn Robinett and Rachael Martin and assistant varsity girls basketball coach Justin McKnight.

The board accepted the resignation of assistant varsity softball coach Brad Hennessey.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.