The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District Board of Education is considering a possible capital project referendum. The district has partnered with Ashley-McGraw Architects to identify needs across all school buildings and grounds. The firm was invited to outline a potential $34.5 million project that would have no tax impact at the Monday, Sept. 30 board meeting.
District leaders worked closely with Ashley-McGraw Architects to identify project goals:
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- Improve athletic and physical education spaces
- Kitchen renovations
- Meet elementary and UPK playground guidelines
- Bathroom repairs/ improvements
- Parking and exterior circulation upgrades
- Facade repairs/updates
- Upgrade facility HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and infrastructure for accessibility, health, and security
So far, the process has involved tours of all district buildings; conversations with building stakeholders about needs and problem areas; meetings with district leadership to review goals, timeline, scope, and budget; and the calculation of a proposed scope cost estimate.
The 2024 capital project would be financed through a combination of retiring debt along with funds set aside in a capital reserve ($1 million). The district would receive building aid from New York state (76.3% of project expenditures). Building aid is received over a 15-year period, in line with debt payments.
“We have a responsibility to make fiscally-responsible decisions with our taxpayers in mind, but also our students and staff,” said Superintendent Peter Smith. “This proposal has the potential to improve safety, enrich the student experience, and ensure our buildings are equipped to continue to serve our school community for years to come.”
The board of education will review the project proposal and will decide whether or not to move forward with the referendum at its Monday, Oct. 28 meeting. If approved, a public presentation would be held in November. The public referendum vote would take place Tuesday, Dec. 17.
You can view a complete list of the proposed project scope for each building below:
J-D High School
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- Renovate main entry, secure vestibule
- Relocate Varsity baseball field to Lyndon Field area
- New bleachers, dugouts, backstop, asphalt walking path, natural grass outfield, artificial turf infield, new perimeter fencing.
- Teacher parking lot, mill and replaced
- Resurface and repair fence at tennis courts
- Upgrade stadium lighting to LED
- Repair various exterior concrete stairs
- Renovate main entry bathrooms
- Renovate upper gym and locker rooms
- Renovate kitchen and update cafeteria corridor and flanking spaces
- Auditorium bathroom updates
HVAC/Plumbing
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- Replace atmospheric water heaters
- Replace gas lines in chemistry rooms
- Select Rooftop Units and Air Handling Units
- Replace steam boilers
- Final conversion of steam to hot water
Electrical
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- Add fiber cable to Lyndon Field concession stand, press box, and bus storage.
J-D Middle School
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- Renovate pool locker room
- Rear lot, mill and replacement
Jamesville Elementary School
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- New UPK playground equipment
- Update main corridor
- Update faculty bathrooms
- Renovation of baseball field
- Repair/replace flagpole memorial
- Exterior facade repairs
- Replace atmospheric water heaters
- Replace Unit Ventilators in 1961 addition
- Replace Air Handling Unit at 1953 building
- Conversion of steam to hot water
Moses DeWitt Elementary
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- New UPK playground equipment
- Replace pavement in parent drop-off area
- Resurface tennis courts and add pickleball
- Service area sidewalk and pavement repairs
- Update bathroom from 1930s
- Exterior facade repairs
- Replace gym Air Handling Unit
- Replace office ductless splits
- Kitchen ventilation upgrades
Tecumseh Elementary
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- New UPK playground equipment
- Parking, bus loop, and parent drop-off reconfiguration, mill and replacement
- Upgrade parking lot lighting
- Improved drainage around tennis courts
- Update faculty bathroom
- Replace cafeteria Air Handling Unit
- Replace admin RTU
Bus Garage
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- Partial roof replacement
- Replace bus lift
- Structural repairs