Facilities Projects

2021 Capital Project 

On Dec. 7, 2021, Fayetteville-Manlius School District residents approved a capital project that will provide infrastructure and programmatic space upgrades to F-M High School, the district’s only high school.

The project will provide a more secure access and better connect House 1 and 2, which were originally separate buildings, allow more opportunities for students to collaborate and better prepare students for the work they will be expected to complete when they move on to college and career settings.

The $52 million proposal aligns with the district’s 2020-23 Strategic Plan, which includes a focus on capital improvement projects that enhance learning spaces and building security and accessibility and that ensure district facilities are responsive to contemporary teaching and learning needs.

The district anticipates that construction will begin in spring or summer 2023.

District’s capital project receives state approval

Fayetteville-Manlius School District’s capital project plans for Fayetteville-Manlius High School have been approved by New York State Education Department (SED) Facilities Planning. Project bids will be solicited in March and the district anticipates awarding bids in mid-April. According to this timeframe, construction is expected to begin in late spring or early summer and will continue for more than three years with assembly of modular classrooms for swing space being the first item on the punch list.

The $52 million project, which was approved by district voters in Dec. 2021, allows for programmatic upgrades and improvements, a better connection between the school’s House 1 and 2, centralization of administrators’ and counseling offices, improved heating and ventilation throughout the school and renovations to portions of the building to better meet students’ needs.

However, New York State Education Department (SED) Facilities Planning must approve the project before work can begin. Plans were submitted to SED this past October and, pending SED approval, the district anticipates soliciting bids during the winter months so that construction can begin by this spring.

Throughout this past year, the project’s architects have been working through the conceptual and schematic design process and meeting with administrators and the staff members who will be most affected by the renovations and construction.

This spring, the modular classrooms that the district purchased for Wellwood Middle School’s 2017-voter approved capital project, which was completed in 2021, will be relocated to the high school from temporary storage on Pride Lane. They will be used as “swing space” if there is a need to shift students out of existing educational spaces during building construction.

Each classroom in the modular unit will be equipped with the instructional technology that both teachers and students use on a daily basis so there will be a seamless transition from their classrooms within the school to the classrooms within the modular unit. It will also have heat and air conditioning and include both student and staff restrooms.

The district does not anticipate there will be any disruption to high school students’ academic environment when work begins this spring.

Video

Check out the video below to take a quick tour of F-M High School and hear from Executive Principal Ray Kilmer what needs will be addressed in the project.

2021 Capital project news

Update: District’s capital project receives state approval: Feb. 14, 2023

F-M voters approve $52 million facilities project: Dec. 7, 2021

Capital project vote is TODAY, Tuesday, Dec. 7: Dec. 7, 2021

Proposal includes turf field replacement: Dec. 3, 2021

Capital project proposal targets high school needs; vote scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7: Dec. 2, 2021

Capital reserve funds would reduce amount to be borrowed for proposed capital project: Nov.  29, 2021

Capital project proposal would create a more unified high school: Nov. 22, 2021

Capital project informational meeting planned for Nov. 30: Nov. 16, 2021

Capital project vote absentee ballot applications available: Nov. 2, 2021

Capital project updates given at Parent Council: Oct. 1, 2021

Board discussion focuses on capital project proposal: Sept. 15, 2021

District anticipates December 2021 vote on proposed capital project: June 23, 2021 

As one project nears its end, district defines its next priority facility needs: May 25, 2021

Board members assess future facility needs: Dec. 4, 2020


2017 Facilities Project 

New Wellwood Middle School entrance from the exterior
A new Wellwood Middle School main entrance was constructed on the side of the school facing Fayetteville Elementary School. To the left of the entrance an addition was constructed that brought the cafeteria and instructional spaces out of the school’s basement.

On Dec. 5, 2017, Fayetteville-Manlius School District residents approved a $45.2 million facilities project proposal that will fix aging infrastructure, add instructional space, enhance security, improve accessibility for people with disabilities and create energy efficiencies.

“We are so grateful that our residents have authorized the district to move forward with these projects,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “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.” 

Construction began in spring 2019 and is anticipated to be complete by September 2023.

State building aid will pay for 75.3% of the work, about $9.4 million will be used from a capital reserve fund. The remainder will 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% with a corresponding tax rate increase of $0.28, which equates to $28.44 per $100,000 of taxable value.