Skip to main content

2022 Capital Improvement Project

Fairport Forward 2022

About Fairport Forward 2022: Phase II

Message from the Superintendent - Fairport Forward 2022 Update

December 13, 2022


Dear Fairport community, 

Thank you for coming out to vote on the proposed Fairport Forward 2022 Capital Improvement Project. 

The proposed Fairport Forward 2022 Capital Improvement Project failed with 1,269 “no” votes to 1,220 “yes” votes.

We look forward to reviewing exit survey data and further community input to determine our next steps in Facilities Planning.

From here, we plan to reevaluate our options and we will continue to communicate our next steps.

I’m fortunate to serve a community that works together to make Fairport a place where our children can thrive.

 

Gratefully, 

Brett Provenzano
Superintendent of Schools


 

It’s a brand new year in the Fairport Central School District - an opportunity to make connections and build community among our students and staff, and a chance to fulfill the promises we’ve made to the residents of Fairport and Perinton.

In 2019, voters cast their ballots on the Fairport Forward project - a multi-phased project to bring the District into the new decade with a goal in mind: to unite Fairport’s ninth-grade students with their peers at Fairport High School. 

We are on track to make this promise a reality. In 2019, voters gave us their confidence, and we got to work. Following the path laid out for us by the Board of Education and by the voters, we’re focused on opening the doors for our ninth grade students to the full range of extraordinary educational programming available at Fairport High School, and on helping those students navigate a challenging time in their lives. We’re building the secure and sustainable facilities that our students need to be safe and successful.

With several projects in Phase I complete and others underway, our Board of Education and District Administration went back to the drawing board to develop the plans for Phase II of the project: Fairport Forward 2022, with a vote date of December 13, 2022.

We’re setting our students up for success, and preparing them to be Future-Ready. The tenets and themes of Phase II are aligned with the District's Strategic Plan, which was developed with stakeholder input over the 2021-2022 school year.

     Join us for Community Information Sessions:

 

  • Tuesday, 10/4 - Community CIP Informational Session 1 - FHS Room 512, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Wednesday, 10/12 - Community CIP Informational Session 2 - FHS Room 512, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Wednesday, 10/26 - Community CIP Informational Session 3 - FHS Room 512, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Wednesday, 11/9 - Community CIP Informational Session 4 - FHS Room 512, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Tuesday, 11/29 - Community CIP Informational Session 5 - FHS Room 512, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Monday, 12/5 - Community Walkthrough and CIP Informational Session - FHS Cafeteria, 6:15 p.m.

Message from the Superintendent
December 12, 2022

Dear Fairport and Perinton Neighbors, 

As you plan your week, please remember to join us on December 13 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the gymnasium at Johanna Perrin Middle School, 85 Potter Place, to cast your vote on the proposed Fairport Forward 2022 Capital Improvement Project.

Thank you to every member of the Fairport and Perinton communities who has engaged with the District in the past several months as part of the Capital Improvement Project process. Whether you participated in our ThoughtExchange or other surveys, or attended/streamed a public information session, or called into our offices with questions – your voice has been vital to this process.

The themes of Fairport Forward 2022 are reflected in these goals:

Staging Fairport High School for a successful merger of our ninth grade students into FHS by renovating existing facilities and creating flexible, modern learning and exploration spaces
Consolidating District buildings by planning out the migration of Administrative offices into the Minerva DeLand building after students have moved to FHS, then selling Baumer Place and eventually District Office
Protecting your investment in our facilities by updating infrastructure in all of our schools

Your vote on Fairport Forward 2022 Phase II on December 13 is the next step in our Facilities Planning process as we look ahead to the future of our Fairport schools.

I look forward to seeing you at the polls at Johanna Perrin on Tuesday, December 13!

Sincerely,

Brett Provenzano
Superintendent of Schools


 

Special Edition of Fairport Commentator to arrive in homes soon
November 21, 2022

Fairport residents: keep your eyes peeled for a Special Edition of the Commentator to arrive in your mailbox soon! This newsletter features everything you need to know about the proposed Fairport Forward 2022 Capital Improvement Project.

You can also find a PDF version of the Commentator here.

A flyer for the Fairport Forward 2022 capital project vote, with information about the project, its benefits, and how to vote.


Absentee Ballot information

November 9, 2022

Residents who are unable to vote on the Capital Improvement Project on December 13, 2022 because of disability, illness, or travel may apply for an absentee ballot by completing the application here and returning it to Fairport Central School District, Office of the District Clerk, 38 West Church Street, Fairport, NY 14450. Absentee ballot applications may not be submitted via email.

Applications may also be requested by telephone (421-2010), in writing, or in person at the above address. Requests by email may be sent to the District Clerk at districtclerk@fairport.org.

The application request must be received by December 6 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be issued to the voter in person. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by 5 p.m. on the date of the vote, December 13, 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact the District Clerk at 421-2010.

Link to Absentee Ballot Application


 

Fairport Forward: Where We Are

Fairport Forward: Where We're Going

Fairport Forward: Dollars & Cents

                                                                                    Fairport Forward: Student Voices

                                               Fairport Forward: Community Pride

Project Highlights

  • Renovation of the FHS music education suites

  • Reconstruction of FHS library and repurposing of existing library space into classrooms and flexible learning spaces

  • Design, development and construction of a new suite of multi-purpose learning spaces catering to the extensive STEAM programming offered at FHS

  • Relocation and improvement of the track and field facilities and tennis courts at FHS

  • A range of updated HVAC, toilet room and infrastructure projects at Brooks Hill, Northside, Dudley and Johanna Perrin

  • Updated cafeteria and kitchen spaces at Jefferson Avenue

  • Updated ventilation, ductwork, toilet room and office spaces at Martha Brown

Project Themes

 

The themes of Fairport Forward 2022 are reflected in these goals:

  • Staging Fairport High School for a successful merger of our ninth grade students into Fairport High School by renovating existing facilities and creating flexible, modern learning and exploration spaces.

  • Consolidating District buildings by planning out the migration of Administrative offices into the Minerva DeLand building after students have moved to FHS, then selling Baumer Place and eventually District Office.

  • Protecting your investment in our facilities by updating infrastructure at Fairport High School and in all of our buildings.

Two students listen intently during a classroom discussion.

A young girl smiles brightly while playing with colorful stacking toys in a classroom.

Aligning Our Vision

 

The 2022 Fairport Forward Capital Improvement Project aligns with our Five-Year Strategic Plan, approved by the Board of Education this summer, by:

  • Supporting, Challenging and Preparing Each Student to be Future-Ready
  • Modernizing flexible learning spaces that foster communication, collaboration, problem solving and creativity
  • Responsive District Leadership and Operations
  • Leadership prioritizing equitable access to high quality educational programming, modern and safe facilities and sustainable operations
  • Operating with transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility

Fairport Forward 2022: By The Numbers*

Total Referendum Amount:

$62,250,000

Estimated State Building Aid:

$39,785,000

Capital Reserve Usage:

$19,200,000

Average local share per year for 15 years:

$1,045,000

Estimated Impact per $200k home value:

$59/year

*Assumptions

• December 2022 Voter Referendum

• $19.2 million Capital Reserve

• 80.2 % Building Aid Ratio

• 70.0% Bond Percentage (Amount of Project Aided at Building Aid Ratio)

• 50% of Aid BAUs from MD will be carried to FHS

• 3 of 5 Tech Classrooms at the FHS Addition will be aided

• Project paid for and aided over a 15 year period

• Values provided by Fiscal Advisors 9/2022

• Aid Assumptions based on previous experience with Facilities Planning

• If NYSED responds to the preliminary submission with less than the percentage of aid assumed, there may be some reduction in scope

Documents and Presentations

Fairport Forward 2022 FAQ

  • There are three themes embedded in this capital improvement project:

    • Merging ninth grade with Fairport High School

    • Consolidating District buildings

    • Protecting the investment in our facilities by updating infrastructure

  • A phased-approach is necessary for the care and upkeep of our facilities; it has been a consistent community and Board of Education priority.

    The multi-phase plan that our voters approved in 2019 is designed to address the major needs of our District facilities - some of those needs have gone unmet for many years. In order to get the District to a more predictable schedule of capital improvement projects, this multi-phase plan allows the District to transition to a more consistent, cost-effective long-range facilities plan and maintain infrastructure in an intentional and sustainable manner. This approach will help the district manage the long term financial impact of facility improvements.

  • New York State education law requires that school districts present a separate proposition for capital improvement projects. In addition, capital projects draw on a different funding stream at the state level (state building aid) than the annual school budget. We also are proposing the use of existing capital building reserve dollars as indicated in the proposition resolution.

    Districts may - and sometimes do - have capital project propositions on the same ballot (separate proposition) as the annual school budget in May. However, capital project planning and development play a large role in determining a voter referendum date. Fall/winter vote dates factor in the time needed for design work, state education submission and review, bidding, and construction. Voting in December gives construction crews much-needed time to complete work across multiple summers while school is not in session. This reduces disruption to our programming during the school year.

  • It is projected that taxpayers would see this impact begin in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

  • The proposed Fairport Forward 2022 Phase II Capital Improvement Project is estimated to cost $62.25 million. If the capital improvement project is approved, the District will fund the project with $19.2 million from its Capital Building Reserve Funds and $43.05 million of issued principal in long-term debt. Long-term debt principal and interest payments are projected to begin in the 2025-26 fiscal year. After factoring in capital reserve monies and state building aid (80.2%), the estimated tax impact of the project for a property assessed at $200,000 is $59 per year. Such impact is for a period of fifteen (15) years during which the debt is paid and state building aid is received.

  • The FCSD Board of Education passed a resolution in May 2019 making the merger of our ninth-grade class into Fairport High School a District priority. Fairport Forward 2022 continues the work begun in Fairport Forward 2019 to stage the high school to receive those students. If the referendum is approved, ninth graders will begin at Fairport High School in the 2026-2027 school year. Those students are the 2022-2023 school year’s fifth graders.

  • The possibilities for expanded classrooms and creative spaces in Fairport High School that are part of FF 2022 will stage the school for the 2026 arrival of our ninth grade students. We are using classroom spaces differently than in the past, and our programming has changed as well, so the increased space outlined in FF 2022 (including the STEAM addition, the reconfigured library and re-organized classrooms on the second floor) will be put to use when the ninth grade class returns.

    The District continues to engage in enrollment studies. Projection studies confirm that enrollment numbers will remain stable over the coming years, with between 400 and 450 students per graduating class. Enrollment studies project out five years due to available data. However, we do anticipate the enrollments to level out in the future beyond 2026-27. There may be slight fluctuations up or down any given year due to historical trends. (See table below)

    Table 25 shows projected enrollments for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 from 2022-23 to 2026-27.

  • The District’s continued dedication to supporting students in a growing number of fields has reduced the number of available classrooms, including in the core academic areas. Bringing ninth-grade students back to the building necessitates one to two additional classrooms in each department. The 2019 Fairport Forward Capital Improvement Project addresses needs in the science department and in the cafeteria; however, there are needs remaining in other core and elective areas. The addition of five STEAM-dedicated classrooms will address the addition of the ninth- grade students and also aligns FHS’ technology and engineering programs with modern curriculum and standards.

    Some of the mitigating factors requiring additional space in order to welcome ninth-graders FHS includes:

    1. Special Education - The growth of Special Education levels of support have expanded from most restrictive (12:1:4) to special class (12:1:1) and integrated co-teaching. The special education department has grown to be the second largest department with 15 teachers.

    2. English as a New Language Program - Part 154 regulations regarding English Language Learners have also impacted the FHS footprint. With an influx of ELL students and an increased mandate for services, the school also requires additional dedicated space to support this program.

    3. Mental Health Services - Supporting the social emotional needs of our students is a priority for the District. FHS currently uses significant space for a growing mental health staff including three social workers and three school psychologists. There is also a dedicated space for counseling which also houses the Strong (UR) Behavioral Health Clinic.

    4. Alternate Education Program - This program was not a resource for FHS in the building’s original footprint, and now currently utilizes space to support students with significant school avoidance behaviors.

    5. Safety and Security - New standards for safety and security have significantly impacted the FHS footprint. The need to develop a secure single point of entry required the reduction of three general education classrooms.

    6. STEAM Programming Spaces - The building’s facilities do not support the modern STEAM and technology education classes offered by the District. Current programming, including classes in electronics, engineering and robotics do not align with the building’s antiquated facilities.

    Updated STEAM facilities/classrooms will support the following programs:

    • Information Technology (SUPA)

    • Computer Game Design

    • Web Design (SUPA)

    • Woodworking

    • Design and Build

    • Production of Film

    • Consumer Auto

    • Small Gas Engines

    • Auto Service & Repair

    • Vocational Auto

    • Electronics

    • Design and Draw for Production

    • Production Drawing CAD/CAM

    • Principles of Engineering

    • Pre-Engineering (MST)

    • Robotics Technology

    • Architecture

    • Digital Media Art

    • Morning Show Production

  • The proposal for Fairport Forward 2022 includes some nominal work at our elementary and middle schools. The multi-phased approach of Fairport Forward creates a roadmap to updating and upgrading all of Fairport’s facilities. As noted, the top priority of Fairport Forward 2022 (Phase II) is to prepare the Fairport High School facility for the unification of ninth grade with the rest of our high school students. The District anticipates addressing additional identified capital improvement work at our elementary (ES) and middle schools (MS) in future projects.

    Attached is a summary of recent elementary school improvements, including work still to come as part of Fairport Forward Phase I

  • The administration will be developing a transition plan to provide social-emotional, mental health and academic support for students who are part of this exciting move. Pending approval of the capital improvement project this December, the district anticipates the school merger in the fall of the 2026-2027 school year. The District will invite FHS and MD staff, as well as parents and students to participate in the planning process.

  • Designing and creating collaborative workspaces was part of Fairport Foward’s 2019 Phase I project; as a result, professional workspaces are connected to the new cafeteria.

    The consolidation of existing workrooms into classroom space in order to house our ninth grade classes will alter the existing workspace configuration at FHS. If Fairport Forward 2022 (FF 2022) is approved, FHS staff will be part of the planning and design stages of the project related to professional workrooms with the new configuration.

  • Through capital project planning, the district prioritizes capital improvement needs within project budgets, while taking into account available Capital Reserve dollars, NYS building aid and the potential tax impact. In order to manage the overall tax impact of FF 2022, air conditioning is not included in the project.

    We recognize that upgrading and expanding air conditioning and ventilation systems in our facilities is a school community priority. The District is committed to increasing the number of spaces that are air conditioned inside our buildings as new projects are developed, and as older spaces are renovated. However, during the bidding/construction process, the project budget will be analyzed to determine feasibility of adding or preparing for future HVAC work.

  • All phases of the Fairport Forward project were developed with fiscal responsibility and building consolidation in mind. FF 2022 will culminate in the transition of students from Minerva DeLand to Fairport High School; this will allow MD to be occupied by our administrative offices located now at Baumer Place. The plan is to sell Baumer and re-distribute the administrative teams to offices at Martha Brown and Minerva DeLand.

    There is no plan to sell Minerva DeLand, which is a community asset and resource that will continue to be used by students, staff and community members in a variety of ways. In Phase 3 of FF, the District plans to reconstruct space at MD to house district office staff from W. Church Street in order to sell the district office building.