On June 30, the township ended its lease with the board of education for the Hillcrest Community Center.
The board is now legally responsible for the perpetual, costly maintenance expenses.
At a Board meeting, I expressed that auctioning Hillcrest is our district’s best option. I also expressed the need to have a joint Board/Council discussion.
Several options have been proposed: building a sports complex that partially tears down Hillcrest, soliciting to hospitals to create satellite facilities, or refurbishing the building for educational purposes.
Option 1 is expensive and requires the township to create the complex.
Option 2 requires the board to go beyond its actual business responsibilities.
Option 3 requires unbudgeted funds. Based on a report given to trustees, rehabilitating Hillcrest will cost over $1 million.
My Hillcrest memories consist of Friday night roller blading, an Eagle Scout project for the P.R.I.D.E. program, a 1996 championship football season, and helping friends after Hurricane Sandy.
Memories aside, I fear Hillcrest overburdening the board and taking money away from education.
As a trustee, I represent our students and their education. Auctioning Hillcrest is the most responsible option. Decades of indecision have led to this moment. Now, we must make a difficult decision.
You can share your opinions with me at william.cytowicz@wmtps.org.
Will Cytowicz
Hewitt
*These opinions are spoken on my personal behalf and not on behalf of the school board as a whole.