Hillcrest Elementary School is owned and operated by Del Valle ISD. Students in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade attended Hillcrest Elementary School. Hillcrest Elementary School fka Hillcrest School was named after the Hillcrest Farms. Now the original Hillcrest Elementary School sat in its original location from 1981 to 1999 on Crozier Lane in Del Valle right next to Baty Elementary School fka Baty School before relocating to Austin. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Hillcrest Elementary School.
Jim Dobson and Brodie Keene of Hillcrest Farms sold a portion of their land to Del Valle ISD to build a school on back in 1980. The school would be named Hillcrest Elementary School aka Hillcrest School. Hillcrest Elementary School was named in honor of Hillcrest Farms after donating land to and for Del Valle ISD. Hillcrest Elementary School was located on land that Hillcrest Farms owned which is why the school has the name “Hillcrest”.
Del Valle residents voted for the school district to build a new elementary school after a bond program enacted by Del Valle ISD in 1980.
Temple Construction Company and Texam Construction Company Inc. were given a $1,245,000 contract to construct Hillcrest Elementary School after choosing to build the school. Del Valle ISD awarded Texam Construction Company Inc. a $1,245,000 contract to construct the main school building which housed offices for the principal and counselor. Along with the library, kitchen, cafeteria, speech therapy offices, five classrooms, an art room, and music rooms. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379194658/)
[Temple construction company has been chosen to build the Hillcrest Elementary School for the Del Valle ISD. School trustees last week awarded Texam Construction Company Inc. a $1,245,000 contract to construct the main school building which will house offices for the principal and counselor, library, kitchen, cafeteria, speech therapy offices, five classrooms and art and music rooms. Superintendent Edward Neal said that when the facility opens next fall it will house fifth-graders from Pop-ham Elementary School and sixth-graders from the middle school. Three portables from Popham and two from the middle school will be moved to the 35-acre tract northwest of Popham where the school is to be located. Eventually all fifth- and sixth-grade students in the Del Valle ISD will attend Hillcrest. "Construction of the new facility will take care of any overcrowding that we may have in the school district," Neal said. The trustees also awarded a $65,446 contract to Quality Custom Fabricators Inc. of Dallas to supply kitchen equipment for the new school. In other business the school board unanimously approved search and seizure policies to prepare the district legally for the arrival of contraband-sniffing dogs which will search for illegal drugs on the campuses. The dogs are expected to make their appearance sometime in the next two weeks after all students have been given copies of the new policies.]
Hillcrest Elementary School was constructed at a cost of $1,050,000. Hillcrest Elementary School opened in the fall of 1981 after construction was completed without controversy. Hillcrest Elementary School was situated on a flat stretch of grazing land populated only by cows and old oak trees at that time. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379221156/)
[Del Valle's construction of a new elementary school is proceeding like a school district's dream property taxes were not raised, citizens did not protest, it was preceded by careful study and even the construction company seems pleased with the job. Hillcrest Elementary so named for its location on the old Hillcrest dairy farm is being built just northwest of the main Del Valle school plant off U.S. Hwy. 71 near Bergstrom Air Force Base.
Situated on a flat stretch of grazing land populated only by cows and old oak trees, the school will face the highway on one side and a ravine that leads to the Colorado River on the other. "We are taking extreme caution to hot disturb the environment," said Pat Ozment, director of operations and personnel for the Del Valle ISD. "We will do some landscaping, but only if it blends In with the natural surroundings. We will also build a safety barrier on the ridge that leads to the river, but basically we want to leave the land like it is." Ozment said the district has "been projecting the need for a new school for three or four years." No construction delays are anticipated, said Wallie Schiller, superintendent for Texam Construction Co. of Temple. "This is just a real easy job," he said. Del Valle has two other elementary schools, Popham and Smith. Popham is popping at the seams with an enrollment of 1,200 students.
In contrast, Austin ISD's largest elementary school is Houston with 928 students. The $1,050,000 Hillcrest school will house five classrooms, a health clinic, library, Title-I reading room, cafeteria, gymnasium and administrative offices. Fifth-grade students from Popham and sixth-graders from the Mid-School will be transferred to Hillcrest for a student population of 400 to 450 once construction is finished. Superintendent Edward Neal said a September completion date is expected for the 43,000-square-foot facility. Neal said the project was unopposed because property taxes were not raised to finance it. Del Valle has saved enough funds received from the state for maintenance and operation of facilities to pay for the school, Neal said. The district has not raised property taxes since 1968 and land has not been reappraised since 1971. "We have a very board," Neal said. Economy-minded school Hillcrest will employ 15 teachers in addition to the support personnel. The principal will be Susan Oglesbee, now assistant principal at Popham. Five more professional staff members, three custodians and three or four cafeteria workers will be hired before the doors to the new elementary school open in the fall.]
Hillcrest Elementary School opened on October 1, 1981. 5th grade students from Popham Elementary School and 6th grade students from Del Valle Middle School started attending Hillcrest Elementary School that semester. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379238778/)
“The school district's Hillcrest Elementary School is scheduled to open Oct. 1. Fifth-grade students from Popham Elementary and sixth-grade students from the Mid-School will attend Hillcrest. Parents of affected students who have any questions should call Susan Oglesbee, Hillcrest's principal, at 385-1427.”
Dedication ceremonies for the $1 million building were held in December 1981. More than 350 Del Valle residents turned out for the ceremony at the new school. The 60-member DECA club entertained 30 kids. Hillcrest Elementary School was a 43,000 square foot facility by the end of 1981. Superintendent Edward Neal was pleased. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/379580752/)
Enrollment continued to increase at Hillcrest Elementary School during the 1981-82 school year. Enrollment continued to increase at Del Valle ISD as well. The passage of additional bonds provided new campuses for the increasing number of students.
The original Hillcrest Elementary School was located at what was 1700 Thornberry Road, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/358494030/)
However by 1987, noise levels from Bergstrom Air Force Base were becoming a concern with parents and residents in the area. Hillcrest Elementary School and Baty Elementary School fell inside the 65-70 decibel noise level area despite having noise reduction features built into the structures. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/363627120/)
“Del Valle Superintendent Ed Neal said that two new elementary schools fall inside the 65-70 decibel noise level area, but that those schools have noise reduction features built into the structures. Hill-crest Elementary School is finished and Beatty Elementary will be open in the fall. The other Del Valle schools, located more to the east, were not architecturally designed to reduce outside noise, Neal said. The Air Force will reissue the report periodically, as flight mission conditions change, he said. According to Craig Bell, principal planner with Austin's Planning and Growth Management Department, the 1976 study was not used as a planning guide, since at that time the city was not as involved in managing growth and development as it is today. Bell said the 1985 report, which was written in consultation with city planners, is already being used as a guide for future development, particularly in South and Southeast Austin. The study will influence city planners in deciding the proper land use Intensity as well as the specific type of land use for those areas, he said. The base has restricted takeoffs and landings to six days per week, although most frequently they operate only five days per week, Smalley said. Takeoffs are not scheduled before 6:30 a.m. or after 10:30 p.m. either.”
Beginning in 1987, Hillcrest Elementary School was a 3-6 school which educated students from 3rd grade to 6th grade as part of new student assignments and reorganization under the new system implemented by Del Valle ISD. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364051865/)
[Del Valle Jackline Thornton said while students may initially experience some contusion about the new student assignments for Del Valle elementary schools, the system will benefit everyone. "The reorganization will allow parents to get more involved with the schools, and children will not have to attend more than two schools during their elementary years," said Thornton, the new principal of Hillcrest Elementary School. Under the new system, Hillcrest will house grades 3 through 6. Thornton, 47, was the assistant principal of Hillcrest for three years, and replaced Susan Oglesbee, the new principal of Del Valle Junior High.]
Hillcrest Elementary School also a 3-6 school where students from 3rd grade to 6th grade attended classes prior the 1998-1999 school semester. These students came from a "feeder" school for prekindergarten through third grade students (a PreK-3 school). (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20010306153926fw_/http://www.del-valle.k12.tx.us/DVISD/Hillcrest/link_page.html#VITAL%20STATISTICS)
The address for Hillcrest Elementary School was changed from 1700 Thornberry Road, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617 to 1701 Crozier Lane, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617 sometime in 1990. Hillcrest Elementary School sat in its original location on Crozier Lane right next to Baty Elementary School fka Baty School. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/363987683/)
Schools such as Baty Elementary School and Hillcrest Elementary School were K-3 schools at one time for instance where students from Kindergarten to 3rd grade attended classes. However from 1991 to 1997, Hillcrest Elementary School was a 3-5 school which served upper elementary school grade students from 3rd grade to 5th grade. Students from 3rd grade to 5th grade attended classes at Hillcrest Elementary School. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20000831015558fw_/http://www.del-valle.k12.tx.us/DVISD/Hillcrest/Hillcresthome.html)
Del Valle ISD was paid $45.7 million dollars in an agreement reached with the City of Austin in 1996 to relocate schools that were going to be in the flight path of the then-new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). The passage of additional bonds provided new campuses for the increasing number of students. (Ref: Austin American-Statesman, Andy Alford, Del Valle school district seeks 20.5-cent tax hike, September 3, 1998)
“The district was paid $45.7 million in an agreement reached in 1996 to pay for the purchase of Hillcrest, Baty and Popham elementary schools and Del Valle High School. The money was not enough to build replacement schools, and the bond election was held to build replacements for those four schools, move all athletic facilities and complete additions and renovations at Hornsby and Smith elementary schools and Del Valle Junior High School.The rest of the tax rate increase. 5.5 cents would go to support staff raises, new computers and school buses. Del Valle trustees approved those items in July as part of the 1998-99 budget.”
Hillcrest Elementary School became a recognized National Blue Ribbon School during the 1998-1999 school semester. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20090326055622/http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf)
The 1998-1999 school semester was the last time the original Hillcrest Elementary School would operate before relocating to Austin. May 21, 1999 was the last day of school that Hillcrest Elementary School would operate at its original location before relocating to Austin. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/19981206120552/http://del-valle.k12.tx.us/calendar.html)
This was because Bergstrom Air Force Base was purchased by the City of Austin and became the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) in 1999. Hillcrest Elementary School was located within the ABIA flightpath. This caused Del Valle ISD to relocate Hillcrest Elementary School and Baty Elementary School along with their other schools. This was due to the City Of Austin’s Airport Noise Mitigation Program which was responsible for relocating 6 Del Valle ISD schools in order for the ABIA Airport to be built and operate. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20081004185849/http://delvalle.tx.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=3959)
Hillcrest Elementary School was relocated to William Cannon Road in Southeast Austin and opened on August 31, 1999. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20000831015558fw_/http://www.del-valle.k12.tx.us/DVISD/Hillcrest/Hillcresthome.html)
“About 800 pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students from communities southeast of Austin, Texas will attend Hillcrest beginning August 31, 1999. Prior to then, Hillcrest served third to fifth grade students.”
Hillcrest Elementary School reopened in a brand new building on a hillside about 4 miles south of the Colorado River and less than a mile from McKinney Falls State Park. Enrollment at the new Hillcrest Elementary School was about 800 students. (Ref: https://web.archive.org/web/20010306153926fw_/http://www.del-valle.k12.tx.us/DVISD/Hillcrest/link_page.html#VITAL%20STATISTICS)
Hillcrest Elementary School was demolished in 1999. 1999 was the year Hillcrest School relocated to William Cannon Drive in Austin, Texas. The school was once located in Del Valle, Texas and is now located in Austin, Texas. Hillcrest Elementary School and Baty Elementary School have been since relocated to another location due to the City Of Austin’s Airport Noise Mitigation Program. 
All that is left of the old Hillcrest School are the concrete foundations parks their vehicles. The City of Austin currently owns the former Del Valle ISD property. Hillcrest Elementary School is owned and operated by Del Valle ISD. Students in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade attend Hillcrest Elementary School.
Today Hillcrest Elementary School is located at 6910 East William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas, US 78744. The original Hillcrest Elementary School was located on Crozier Lane, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617. The original addresses for Hillcrest Elementary School were 1700 Thornberry Road, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617 and 1701 Crozier Lane, Del Valle, Texas, US 78617.
Hillcrest Elementary School sat in its original location from 1981 to 1999 on Crozier Lane right next to Baty Elementary School fka Baty School.
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