Residents concerned about the North Hills School District's elementary construction plans will have a chance to voice their concerns at two public hearings next month.

The North Hills School Board voted unanimously to approve the Act 34 hearings at Monday night's meeting.

The hearings will be held, back-to-back, on Monday, Jan. 7, starting at 7 p.m. in the LGI room at the junior high school, located at 55 Rochester Road.

"This will give us a chance to present the project and its financing to the public and give them a chance to speak up," said David Hall, director of finance and operations for the district.

The Act 34 hearings are a part of the PlanCon -- Planning for Construction -- requirements for a school district undergoing a construction project.

The hearings are required if a district is erecting a new building or adding more than 20 percent of the existing square footage to a building.

The district is planning a renovation project for Highcliff and McIntyre Elementary schools, along with Ross Elementary, during the next three years. A consolidation and closing of three elementary schools is anticipated after the construction project.

Construction on McIntyre and Highcliff is expected to begin in spring of 2008. However, those dates could change if the Ross Zoning committee does not approve a steep-slopes variance on Highcliff Elementary at a hearing on Wednesday, Dec 12.