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A five-year, $126 million capital improvement project goes to a vote today for residents of the Jamestown Public Schools District. Votes can be cast from noon to 9 p.m. at Jefferson, Washington and Lincoln schools.
Funding, if approved by 60% of voters, will provide "necessary improvements" to each building in the school district, Dr. Kevin Whitaker, superintendent, said.
As previously noted by JPS, the latest capital improvement project will have no local tax impact to taxpayers as the district is reimbursed by New York state at a rate of 98%. The remaining 2% already has been earmarked by the district for capital projects.
In October, the Jamestown School Board approved the 2024-29 capital improvement project, which is part of a 10-year plan by JPS to improve school buildings following a 2019 Building Condition Survey. A previous $86.5 million project was approved by voters in 2021.
"The Board of Education has made the continual improvements of our buildings, facilities and infrastructure a priority and has been diligent in accomplishing this work in the most cost-effective way possible for our community," said Paul Abbott, school board president. "Much like our previous vote two years ago, we have ensured that there is no local tax impact for our community, while ensuring that we continue to invest in the important goal of educating our students by providing the best environment possible for them to learn."
According to the district, the latest project will focus on three areas: modernizing classrooms and student spaces; enhanced safety, security, and technology; and essential maintenance.
"We're going to be at every single building districtwide," Brittnay Spry, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said last week during a public hearing on the project. "That really makes this project exciting; there will be improvements at every location across the district."
The following building improvements are proposed:
– Bush Elementary School: renovations to the auditorium and gym; installation of sidewalks to connect the drop-off loop to the parking lot; and improvements to the ventilation system.
– Ring Elementary School: renovations to the auditorium and cafeteria; installation of sidewalks to connect the building to Dearing Street; and repairs to exterior walls and windows.
– Fletcher Elementary School: replacement of the fire alarm system and library flooring; and renovations to some of the bathrooms.
– Lincoln Elementary School: replacement of the second-floor hallways and corridors; addition of two new bathrooms; replacement of the fire alarm system and exterior lighting; and addition of an electronic fence at the delivery entrance.
– Love Elementary School: renovation to the retaining wall outside the school.
– Jefferson Middle School: resurfacing of the track at Strider Field; replacement of the parking lot; and connection of the walking loop.
– Persell Middle School: upgrades to the building's water and heating system as well as HVAC system; renovations to the bathrooms; and replacement of out-of-warranty roofs.
– Washington Middle School: replacement of the field scoreboard; and renovation of the tennis courts.
– Jamestown High School: replacement of the retaining wall; renovation of the tennis courts.