Austin ISD has not paused its work on improving schools in the community. On Friday, Hill Elementary School conducted a virtual groundbreaking to celebrate the start of the new modernization project. 

AISD families and staff watched the groundbreaking streamed live on AISD.TV, Facebook and via Zoom webinar. It featured remarks from Principal Jack Drummond, Superintendent Paul Cruz, Board President Geronimo Rodriguez and Trustee Kristin Kristin Ashy. The ceremonial groundbreaking was recorded beforehand and featured only the principal to accommodate social distancing.

“This is an amazing day for Hill and our community,” Drummond said.  “We have been waiting for this for some time, and when everything happened with the virus we didn’t know if we were going to be able to celebrate the groundbreaking. But we’re not going to let that stop us.”

The modernized school was part of the 2017 Bond Program that funded other modernization projects including Menchaca, Sanchez and Govalle elementary schools.

The groundbreaking marks the beginning of the first stage in the modernization of the school. The project will include new campus onsite parking space, a gym and six updated classrooms.

Modernization will start in the summer of 2020, and the project is estimated to be completed by the beginning of the 2021 school year.

“This is a place where students will say, ‘I want to go to this school, and I want to stay at this school,’” Cruz said. “Hill just cares; They care about their kids, parents and community, and here we are stepping up to the plate.”