New Cumberland’s old Hillside Elementary School being demolished this week

19 Jul, 2011 Education Guide Being Demolished Elementary School Hillside Elementary School Week

The old Hillside Elementary School in New Cumberland is being demolished this week, and the new school under construction next to it will be ready for students by the time school opens Aug. 24, according to West Shore School District spokesman Ryan Argot.

An aerial view of West Shore School District’s newly constructed Hillside Elementary School in New Cumberland.Argot said the new school is designed to meet the districts needs for years to come. It has more space, complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act, is more energy efficient, has air conditioning, and has better traffic control than the older school. It has a separate cafeteria and gymnasium instead of one all-purpose room and has a music room.

Furniture, whiteboards and other technological equipment are being moved from the old to the new school, Argot said. The contractor will recycle construction materials when practical, he said.

Enlarge The West Shore School District’s old Hillside Elementary School building is being demolished as work continues on the new school building, located next to the old school. Jason Miller watches the demolition with daughter Sophie, 7, and son Graylen, 3. Sophie attended kindergarten and first grade at the old Hillside School. 07/19/2011 DAN GLEITER, The Patriot-News Hillside Elementary School gallery (8 photos) The area of the old school will be turned into a bus loop, student drop-off area, parking and grass, Argot said.

The new $11 million school has drawn criticism from some residents who said it is a waste of money, even though bids came in less than the $14 million budgeted. Some said the old school should have been renovated instead.

The original Hillside was built in 1957, with an addition in 1965. It was last renovated in 1999.

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