Upgrades proposed for Fairport High School

FAIRPORT, N.Y. – It was only the first day, but Fairport High School has some big plans in the works for this school year.

This $45.8 million project can only happen with public support. There are two propositions: one deals with inside and, one out.

The first proposition deals with the high school’s interior. It adds a new tech wing, renovates the library, and creates several collaborative learning spaces. This one won’t cost the public anything extra.

Superintendent Brett Provenzano says the school needs it. The current tech wing came with the building, back in 1970.

“Our community has high expectations for our school. Our students deserve quality rich learning environments where they can flourish,” he said.

The district says this proposition has no additional tax impact to residents after the use of existing capital building reserves.

The second proposition covers the exterior. It creates a new track that would allow the school to host meets and bring in pole vaulting, shot put, and other sports.

Proposition 2, if approved, would be funded with the use of existing capital building reserves and a yearly $39 increase per $200,000 home value, to be levied over 15 years.

Students say they’d love to see it.

“I do cross country, and I have a lot of runner friends that do do track. My sister is a sophomore here at Fairport. She does track. And right now our track is, it’s below par condition, I’d say,” Jake Dixon, senior.

The high school’s not all out of date. The district just finished a 2019 renovation and sustainability project. A separate project was voted on back in December by about 2,500 residents. It failed by just 49 votes.

The district is working hard to get support for this plan.

“It’s a long process. We kind of inherited like an old house, if you will. This is my tenth year and my third project, so we’re looking forward to getting after our library and a track and a new tech area so we’re really excited about that,” Provenzano said.

The vote for both propositions will be held Thursday, Oct. 12 at Johanna Perrin Middle School. If Proposition 2 fails, but Proposition 1 passes, Proposition 1 will be built. But if Proposition 1 fails, the track will have to wait.