PHOTOS: Construction Close for Two Hamilton Elementary Schools

officials say construction crews are close to breaking ground at and elementary schools for two expansion projects totaling roughly $2 million.

After for architectural work in January, followed by approval of a construction bid in May, the two schools are close to feeling relief after years of overcrowding. In addition, Denise Lindberg, the district’s spokesperson, says Hamilton has been planning for the possible expansion and started budgeting accordingly, meaning there won’t be any .

“Presuming the bids come in where we think they will, we will take money from the fund balance over a two year period,” Lindberg explained in . “Every year we have a year-end budget for things like asphalt and roof repair or replacement boilers and HVAC units. Each year we budget between $500,000 - $1 million for those items, but we’ve prepared and gotten caught up on maintenance. Now we can use that budget for two years to fund our additions.”

The initial decision to expand came after reviewing the district’s enrollment trends. Woodside is built to house 600 students but currently has 674 children enrolled. In addition, Marcy is exceeding its 500-student capacity with 525 students enrolled.

Hamilton's enrollment chart, pictured above, shows district enrollment over the past 17 years is up 1,372 students with 882 students added since Woodside was built in 1999. There's also been a rise of 451 students since the last school addition at Marcy was completed in 2004.

However, Hamilton isn’t planning to go overboard. By choosing not to build another school the district can avoid costs of hiring additional staff like custodians, principals and teachers aids. Instead, Woodside will get a five-classroom addition, and Marcy will grow by four classrooms.