HILLSDALE—School trustees agreed Oct. 13 to issue $47.4 million in school bonds in November to fund the renovation of George White Middle School, marking the second phase of school bonding approved as part of a $62.4 million middle school referendum in September 2024.
The first bonds issued, approximately $15 million in December 2024, received a “AA” bond rating, enabling school officials to obtain a lower bond interest rate, said the superintendent.
Superintendent Robert Lombardy told us, “The Hillsdale Public School District is scheduled to complete its second and final round of bonding in late November 2025. This critical step will secure the remaining capital needed to fully fund the voter approved George G. White Middle School renovation and expansion project.”
At a special meeting on Friday, Sept. 26, school trustees approved a nearly $33.6 million construction contract with Dobco Inc. of Wayne for full-scale renovations at the middle school and construction of a two-story, six-classroom addition at the century-old facility.
Dobco is constructing River Vale’s new, nearly $15 million Public Safety Complex on Rivervale Road, due for completion this fall.
Lombardy said that required asbestos abatement began on Sept. 5 in the main multipurpose room. Once completed, and the general contractor is onboarded, the multipurpose room will be demolished and asbestos abatement will start at the main, three-story building, which includes classrooms and offices.
In his letter, Lombardy said general construction at George White is expected to begin in November, starting with demolition of the multipurpose room—including the cafetorium and stage area—for complete rebuilding and modernization. Renovations in the three-story academic building and a new two-story wing will proceed simultaneously.
Grades 6–8 are attending school in modular classrooms set up directly across from the middle school, and fifth graders have returned to the town’s two elementary schools. Construction is due for completion by summer 2027, with a September school opening.
Voters in September 2024 approved a $62.4 million school bond referendum to fund the George White project, including a full renovation of the middle school and the construction of a two-story, six-classroom addition.
The 20-year school bond was estimated to cost the average assessed homeowner ($476,107), or about $70 per year, mostly due to receiving slightly over $18 million in state aid for the middle school renovations.