Hinton Community School is looking at building a new early elementary building and gym, and now officials want to hear what the public has to say.

The school board will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 in the school gym to give an update on the proposed pre-Kindergarten through third grade building and competitive gymnasium, anticipated to cost more than $7.5 million.

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The biggest question is where to build.

"We purchased land a year or two ago on the southwest edge of town, and recently we also tried purchasing land adjacent to the school, but we've been unsuccessful there," said Hinton Superintendent Al Steen. "At this meeting we'd like to ask the community how they feel about the proposed expansion and how they feel about (it) not being located right next to the school."

The school board ran into a dead end on building next to the school when its bid on a piece of land nearby was rejected and no counteroffer was given, Steen said.

At this point, he said, the project is on hold until the school reaches a decision on where to build.

"Once we have that, then we will move forward with hopefully a successful bond issue," Steen said.

To pay for the expansion, residents would have to vote on a $7.5 million bond issue.

"That $7.5 million is a very rough draft estimate based on square footage and it could be drastically changed," Steen said. "The $7.5 million probably won't cover everything we need to do, especially with skyrocketing prices."

The school would also use money from the one-penny School Infrastructure tax.

Formerly known as SILO (School Infrastructure Local Option) tax, the one-cent sales tax becomes a statewide tax July 1. Steen said this will benefit Hinton because it gives the school a bigger pool of money to draw from or borrow against.

The school board selected Cannon Moss and Brygger and Associates as the architect for the expansion, but no preliminary estimates or plans have been drawn up, Steen said.

The elementary and gym project stems from a 2001 proposal by the school's buildings committee. Then two years ago that idea was re-recommended to the school board as a valid project, Steen said.

The public will be invited to voice comments and questions on the project during the July 15 meeting at the school, located at 315 W. Grand Street.

Anyone wishing to address the school board during the meeting will be asked to register to speak.

"That gives a order and efficiency to the meeting," Steen explained. "We hope people come and share their input."