Fayetteville-Manlius school district is planning a massive capital project. The plan will cost $52 million, and it will upgrade the high school building and class offerings.
The building was constructed in the 1960’s, so it’s overdue for renovations, according to the superintendent.
“This is the one building in the entire district that all students attend in grades ninth to 12th grade,” said Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice. “I think the community will appreciate the fact that we’re trying to do programmatic improvements, as well as infrastructure upgrades.”
On the outside, it will be easy to see the changes. The school will replace the turf field. The main entrance will get a facelift to fix crumbling concrete. On the inside, students will enjoy a new cafeteria, which will bring students together and could allow the district to change its schedule, according to the district superintendent.
There will be new offices, a new broadcast journalism space and a new photography room.
“It will give us a STEM wing in the building,” said Tice. “The height of those technology buildings will be higher than what we have now, so if we wanted to do a drone elective for example, we could really try out different electives”
The project includes health and safety upgrades, like new fire alarms and improved HVAC and ventilation systems. There is a school board meeting Monday night and the plan is to schedule a vote on the project for December 7.
The school will use state aid, capital reserves and taxes to pay for the project. It will cost each homeowners about $47 per $100,000 assessed value of their houses. The increase will be phased in, according to the superintendent.
If voters approve the project, the district expects construction to begin in spring 2023 and will take about four years to finish.
