What Should Hillsboro R-3 Schools Look Like in the Future? Watch Community Engagement Session #2

The Hillsboro R-3 School District’s community engagement session on August 28, 2026, focused on a proposed facilities plan and November ballot measure. Presenters said the Board had voted to place the measure on the ballot. Based on community survey feedback and district assessments, the proposed first phase includes a secure high school entrance, fine arts and storm-shelter spaces, athletic and stadium upgrades, playground improvements, road and parking work, ADA access, and districtwide card readers. The team described the cost figures as preliminary, high-level estimates that include hard and soft costs and contingencies. It also estimated that the district’s broader list of needs and wants totals about $150–160 million; that figure was not identified as the cost of phase one.

No contract awards, vendor selections, bid approvals, or specific purchasing votes were reported. Future-phase concepts include a competition gym, auditorium, cafeteria additions, and other facility improvements. Follow-up work discussed included traffic studies, refining project priorities and estimates, and preparing a long-range facilities plan. The team also discussed presenting ballot information to the community; no procurement-related policy change was identified.