On Tuesday, December 8, members of the Fonda-Fultonville community will vote on a proposed $51.1 million Capital Project. The proposed capital project focuses on upgrading and modernizing district facilities, including renovations to classrooms, offices, restrooms, locker rooms and common areas; improvements to HVAC, electrical, lighting and plumbing systems; enhanced building security and safety measures; roof, flooring, door and exterior improvements; and upgrades to specific athletic fields, parking, playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces.

How will it be financed?

The Capital Project will be at no additional cost for district taxpayers. It is being developed in two phases, which allows the district to receive additional state aid and use funds from district capital reserves.

If voters approve the capital project, 83.3 percent of the total cost will be covered by state aid, with the remaining 16.7 percent funded by the district’s capital reserves. Capital reserves are similar to savings accounts to cover operational costs or support large projects, such as capital projects. The capital reserves can be replenished with year-end surpluses, interest earnings, and voter-approved tax measures. To establish and replenish Capital Reserves, the District carefully reviews spending and places surpluses into reserves.  These reserves take years to establish, and we thank the previous District administration, as well as the current and former Board members, for establishing procedures that allow us to fund this capital project and plan ahead for future projects.

“At this time, our district has reviewed options to reimagine our district for years to come at no additional expense to the taxpayer,” shared Superintendent of Schools Dr. DeMallie. “After careful consideration and consulting with the Director of Buildings and Grounds, district architects, and Board of Education, we feel we have developed a pathway that enables our district to improve our buildings, remove safety obstacles, while reshaping our district for our community.”

What will be included in the Capital Project?

If approved, the project will update hallways, classrooms, and select athletic fields; provide additional safety and security; replace the elementary roof and middle school gym flooring; expand parking at the high school, and more. Renovations are expected to begin as early as the summer of 2027. A full listing of Capital Project items can be found below.

How were these projects identified?

Over the past several years, the district has reviewed facility assessments, examined planning initiatives with the Board of Education, and overseen required maintenance monitoring with our architects and the Director of Operations. The Building Condition Survey (conducted every five years) provides comprehensive input related to structural, mechanical, and health and safety needs. All of the above areas were considered to identify the scope of the Capital Project for Fonda-Fultonville.

How can I learn more about the capital project?

The district created this web page dedicated to sharing information about the Capital Project. This page will be regularly updated and shared through the district’s Valley Hawk View, which is distributed each Friday. The Superintendent of Schools will share communications bi-weekly through Parent Square and on the Capital Project web page. The district will also provide details in its fall newsletter which will reach resident mailboxes by the end of October, and information will be highlighted through a postcard scheduled for mailing in November. Social media will also provide details through the upcoming months.

When and where will the vote occur?

Similar to our annual budget vote, the Capital Project vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. in the auditorium lobby. The voting process follows the same requirements as our budget vote. Absentee ballots will be available for residents who are unable to come to the polls if they are out of town, incarcerated or because of health concerns, including but not limited to illness, disability, or hospitalization. To receive an absentee ballot, please get in touch with District Clerk Ms. Maves at (518) 853-4415 ext. 4230. Early mail ballots are available to any registered voter for any reason. Applications for early mail ballots are available during school business hours from the District Clerk.

2026-27 Capital Project Vote: Building-by-building projects

F-F Elementary School

• Foam roof replacement (full replacement of the foam roofs on elementary wing)
• Elementary main office window replacements
• Exterior door relocation (four doors to be relocated)
• Ceiling installation in corridors (suspended ceiling to reduce draft and heating loss)
• Exterior brick sealer (improve ES brick exterior and application of sealer)
• Corridor floor repair due to cracking
• Repair exterior facade through corridor to middle school.
• Increase storage and repair gymnasium doors.
• Exterior door for wind protection at bus drop-off
• Replacement of ventilators within classrooms
• Installation of cooling systems for cafeteria and gymnasium
• Update temperature controls throughout the elementary building.
• Installation of LED lighting
• Provide water softener for the elementary main water line.
• Replace grease trap in elementary kitchen area.
• Refurbish current parking area resurfacing (create improved access for drop-off)
• Update drainage system at parking lot entrance

  F-F Middle School
  

• Main hallway flooring replacement
• Gymnasium flooring replacement
• Locker room renovation
• Replace courtyard wall for energy efficiency and safety
• Complete hallway flooring replacement through middle school
• Courtyard door replacement (and frames) to increase safety and efficiency
• Replace all exterior/interior doors throughout MS campus building.
• MS main office reconstruction (entryway reconfigured for safety and improved access)
• Remove and improve partitions within classroom pods

  F-F High School
  

• Auditorium lobby renovation (new flooring, walls and ceilings of lobby to be replaced)
• Auditorium restrooms to be replaced and reconfigured
• Select Science classrooms to be fully renovated (two classrooms)
• Complete hallway flooring replacement through high school
• HS restrooms (near District Office) to be renovated.
• Improved ventilation for crawl (storage areas) throughout building
• Removal of exterior ice tanks
• Relocation of chilled water lines (near co-gen area)
• Addition of new heating for under pool area
• Addition of A/C system for tech lab
• Updated temperature controls for high school building
• Lighting updates through building (LED lighting)
• Gas valves to be replaced as part of science room renovation

  Districtwide
  

• Pool area decking and pool locker room areas to be replaced
• Removal of basketball/tennis courts in front of campus; removal for overflow parking for district events; additional area to reconstruct area for basketball, pickleball and tennis
• Replacement of concrete entryway at HS entranceway
• District Office renovation to include new layout and additional storage space for school records
• New awning to be added to auditorium entryway
• Red School House will receive improvements to enhance educational experiences of historical building.
• Exterior Blue Light System/lockdown system to be installed
• Installation of CCTV cameras to improve safety and security