It was a great day to be on the Hill for a celebration.
On Wednesday, Aug. 12, Hillcrest students past and present, current and retired teachers and Springfield leaders came together to break ground on a massive renovation of Hillcrest High School. The nearly $30 million will be complete by the end of 2022.
“Over the next two years, this campus will be transformed as we construct a new learning wing and renovate existing parts of the school to improve the learning environment and address security and accessibility barriers,” said Superintendent John Jungmann.
Originally, the Hillcrest renovation was designed to be completed in two phases. Phase One was scheduled to be done by June 2022 and Phase Two was scheduled to be funded by a future bond proposal. But due to lower than anticipated construction costs districtwide, all improvements to Hillcrest will be completed, said Jungmann.
“What an exciting time it will be for the Hillcrest students, parents, teachers and alumni to witness the transformation of their school and see physical evidence that Springfield cares about them,” said Dr. Alina Lehnert, school board president. “Springfield wants Hillcrest to have the best, and Hillcrest deserves the best.”
The original northside high school was built in 1957, with remanants of the school’s original design still standing thoroughout its expansive campus. Overlooking it all is the Annex — a building used formerly as Fairview Elementary School, attended by Dr. Denise Fredrick, school board member. She later went on to graduate from Hillcrest High School and was inspired by her Hillcrest teachers to become an educator herself.
Seeing a Hillcrest renovation might be the highlight of her service to Springfield as a board member, she said.
“I attended an open house at Hillcrest prior to the 2019 bond election, and there were many community members who wanted change at Hillcrest but were fearful that such a big project for their school would be tucked away to the bottom of the list,” said Dr. Fredrick. “The community trusted, had faith and confidence in this administration and all those working hard to support Proposition S. And folks, here we are! It is real, it is happening and it is going to serve future generations of this community with a home to be proud of. In the words of the Hillcrest fight song, Fight on Ye Hornets Fight With All Your Might to Victory. This is victory!”