The district’s annual operating budget supports educational excellence and quality facilities while being sensitive to the taxpayers of the district.
Goal: Maintain a strong financial position through the optimization of state aid and other revenues along with utilizing cost-effective business practices.
- The financial position of the district improved with additional revenue from New York State in the form of Foundation Aid. The district has historically maintained a fiscally responsible approach with these types of additional funds by planning ahead and saving incrementally for the future. This approach is used to mitigate the financial impact on the district’s annual operating budget when major, non-recurring or unforeseen expenditures occur. Reserve funds can also reduce the future impact on taxpayers and protect staffing levels, programs and services for F-M students in case of economic downturns or reductions in state aid funding.
- The district has consistently maintained a strong AA stable bond rating, which means the district is considered financially sound. A strong credit rating will enable the district to receive lower interest rates on future financial borrowing, ultimately saving the district and taxpayers money.
Goal: Complete capital improvement projects on time and within budget to improve learning spaces, building infrastructure, building security and accessibility.
- In May, work began as part of the $52 million capital project, which was approved by voters in December 2021. The project scope primarily focuses on modernizing and expanding F-M High School and will allow for programmatic upgrades and improvements. The project includes the addition of a new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) wing, Broadcast Journalism area, a cafeteria addition and renovation, a new generator, turf field and track replacement, a new intrusion system, replacement clocks, public address system upgrades, and a replacement fire alarm system. In addition, the administrative and counseling offices will be more centralized, there will be improvements in heating and ventilation throughout the school, and the renovations of existing portions of the building will better meet students’ needs. The improvements will ensure that district facilities are responsive to contemporary teaching and learning needs.
Goal: Monitor the long-range facilities plan to ensure that district facilities are responsive to contemporary teaching and learning needs and support a productive, safe and secure work environment for all students and employees.
- The district’s long-range facilities plan is created and reviewed by the district’s facilities committee. The plan helps to set the course for improvements over subsequent years. The long-range plan is primarily based on the results of the most recent Building Condition Survey, which was conducted in 2023, along with requests and needs provided by district administrators. The identified projects include improving heating and ventilation systems, enhancing security, addressing programmatic needs and updating fire alarm and emergency communications systems. The district’s long-range plan also includes preparation for electric bus purchases in response to the New York State mandate that all school bus purchases be electric starting July 1, 2027, and all diesel-fueled school buses be replaced with electric buses by July 1, 2035
Goal: Maintain district technology infrastructure, including privacy and cybersecurity protection systems.
- The information technology department continues to meet or exceed industry standards for anti-virus and application protection. To mitigate potential cybersecurity threats, the district implemented a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) tool to protect the privacy and data of all students and staff.
- To maintain district network resiliency, a redundant hi-speed Metropolitan Area Network was completed to interconnect the schools’ and district buildings’ computer network. Building-wide wireless upgrades were also finalized at Fayetteville and Mott Road elementary schools. Upgrades at Enders Elementary School, Eagle Hill and Wellwood middle schools and F-M High School are expected to be completed over the next two years.