On Tuesday, Dec. 5, Fayetteville-Manlius School District residents approved a $45.2 million facilities project proposal that would fix aging infrastructure, add instructional space, enhance security, improve accessibility for people with disabilities and create energy efficiencies.
The proposal passed in a 1,108 to 848 vote.
Construction is not expected to begin on any of the projects until June 2019 and is anticipated to be complete by September 2023. The next steps in the process include an architect design period and a state Education Department review of the final project plans.
State building aid would pay for 75.3 percent of the work, about $9.4 million would be used from a capital reserve fund and the remainder would be paid for over 15 years with money from the district’s capital reserve fund and the property tax levy. The tax levy is estimated to increase 1.1 percent with a corresponding tax rate increase of $0.28, which equates to $28.44 per $100,000 of taxable value.
“We are so grateful that our residents have authorized the district to move forward with these projects. This work will protect taxpayers’ investment in our facilities and ensure that our students and staff are learning and working in safe and healthy environments designed for 21st century instruction,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said.
What was on the ballot?
Enders Road Elementary School – $3.0 million
- Construct an approximate 4,000-square-foot addition facing the playground, adding three large classrooms, two small classrooms and restrooms to be used during recess
- Renovate existing locker rooms (currently used for storage) into restrooms, storage space and offices for the gymnasium
- Install partitions for instructional flexibility in four small existing classrooms
- Create a new single restroom
- Replace obstructed sanitary line located under floor slab
- Consolidate heating system from multiple boilers into two new boilers
Fayetteville-Manlius High School – $4.1 million
- Upgrade 10 restrooms dating back to the 1960s to better align with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Renovate and expand library to meet student demand
- Renovate central kitchen area into support spaces
Wellwood Middle School – $34.9 million
- Construct an approximate 15,000-square-foot addition facing Fayetteville Elementary School that would relocate from the basement the school’s kitchen, cafeteria, and music instructional spaces
- Install new elevator for auditorium and balcony access
- Create new, secure main entrance area in proposed addition, which would include main office and nurse’s office
- Expand the existing bus loop
- Move front parking lot adjacent to the proposed addition and increase it by 76 spaces (64 to 140)
- Create a ramp between the new main entrance and the existing building for improved accessibility
- Renovate and upgrade classrooms, including installing new windows, and create flexible learning spaces
- Convert existing front parking lot to an athletic field
- Abate asbestos and renovate infrastructure of building’s 1933 portion (including mechanical systems, windows and roof–which dates back to the original construction) and the existing basement and boiler room
Energy Performance Contract – $3.2 million
- Replace boilers at the district office building, Eagle Hill Middle School and F-M High School
- Add one boiler to the Instructional Communications Center
- Install energy efficient lighting throughout the district
- Replace heating system controls
- Install more energy efficient pumps
- Add and replace building insulation