Structured For Success (S4S) Phase 1 Referendum Project Information

On December 8, 2021, North Syracuse Central School District voters approved three propositions of phase 1 of the Structured for Success initiative(s).

Proposition #1 included renovations to C-NS High School, Lakeshore Road Elementary, Cicero Elementary and Smith Road Elementary. The $64.96 million series of projects will not increase taxes for District residents. Decades-old learning spaces and systems that are long past their useful life will be renovated or upgraded. Proposition #1 was approved (89% support) with 1,279 yes votes and 157 no votes.

“We are incredibly pleased that voters recognize the value of this cost-effective project and the meaningful impacts it will have on our programs and for the community at large,” said Superintendent Dan Bowles. “It is essential that we continually address the issues of effectiveness and safety of our learning spaces. On behalf of the Board of Education, I am delighted by this outcome and the positive changes that are taking root in our District.”

Voters also approved proposition #2 for the construction of a community pool facility at C-NS, which will support District athletic programs and be available for use by the broader North Syracuse community. The District will now join most others in the region that have this valuable asset in their community. Proposition #2 was approved (82% support) with 1,174 yes votes and 261 no votes.

A third proposition to establish a capital reserve fund for future projects was also given a thumb’s up by voters. This fund will help address the financial impact of projects to be developed in the future. Proposition #3 was approved (89% support) with 1,276 yes votes and 157 no votes.

S4S Project Summary

Phase 1 of the Structured for Success capital project work is divided into six separate areas:

  1. Smith Road Elementary School renovations

  2. Cicero-North Syracuse High School HVAC system

  3. Cicero-North Syracuse High School renovations to locker rooms, gymnasium and auditorium

  4. Lakeshore Road Elementary School renovations

  5. Cicero Elementary School renovations

  6. Cicero-North Syracuse High School Community Pool and associated support work

The individual components of Phase 1 work are detailed below.

  • Smith Road Elementary School Renovation

Smith Road Elementary is slated for replacement of the Public Address (Emergency Communication) system and thanks to the generosity of the local community, a new accessible playground. Many thanks to the Smith Road Elementary School's PTO for their efforts in fundraising to make this project a reality!

Smith Road Elementary School Renovation Project Timeline

Design

Completed as of March 2022, Pending Code review by NYS Education, Department of Facilities Planning

Procurement

Playground equipment was ordered upon voter approval and is expected to be on site Summer 2022

Construction

We remain hopeful for approval and labor availability to support Summer 2022 construction, some delay is likely


  • Cicero-North Syracuse High School HVAC

A Building Condition Survey identified the HVAC (Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning) system at Cicero-North Syracuse High School to be in critical need of repair. The District has petitioned the State for immediate approval of this work and is awaiting a response from Facilities Planning.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School HVAC Project Timeline

Design

Completed in January 2022 and currently undergoing Code review by NYS Education, Department of Facilities Planning

Procurement

Due to market volatility and extended lead times, major components will be preordered in an effort to minimize the impact of these type of delays during the school year. Contractor availability for Summer 2022 is already a concern and strategies are being implemented to address this fact.

Construction

Preparatory construction activities are expected to begin Summer 2022 and work on the HVAC systems will follow through the next few years. We are currently projecting this work to continue over the course of (2) school years and possibly (3) summer seasons.

  • Cicero-North Syracuse High School Renovations (Locker Rooms, Gymnasium, Auditorium)

Focal points for renovations at CNS include the Main Gymnasium, Locker Rooms and the Auditorium. Additional work to critical life safety systems and significant upgrades to the site are also planned. Roofing work slated for 2021/2022 is being delayed to run concurrent with this project.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School Renovations Project Timeline

Design

Initial design meetings began in February of 2022 and will carry through the early part of the year

Procurement

Expect to bid early in 2023

Construction

Currently planned to begin Summer 2023

  • Lakeshore Road Elementary School Renovations

Renovations, similar in scope to the KWS Bear Road Elementary project will begin. This first phase will encompass approximately 50% of the building. The remainder will be addressed in a future project to take full advantage of available State aid. This first phase will encompass renovations to the gymnasium, kitchen, cafeteria, administrative areas and a small number of classrooms.

Lakeshore Road Elementary School Renovations

Design

Slated to kickoff 2nd quarter of 2022

Procurement

TBD

Construction

Currently planned to begin Summer 2023, work is expected to impact (1) school year and (2) summer seasons

  • Cicero Elementary School Renovations

Renovations, similar in scope to the KWS Bear Road Elementary project will begin. This first phase will encompass approximately 50% of the building. The remainder will be addressed in a future project to take full advantage of available State aid. This first phase, like Lakeshore's renovation will encompass the gymnasium, kitchen, cafeteria, administrative areas and a small number of classrooms.

Cicero Elementary School Renovations

Design

Slated to kickoff in 2023

Procurement

TBD

Construction

Currently planned to begin Summer 2024, work is expected to impact (1) school year and (2) summer seasons

  • Cicero-North Syracuse High School Community Pool

Most of the larger school districts in Central New York have community pool facilities, but North Syracuse has lacked this important community resource. While we have had successful men’s and women’s swim teams, they have had to practice and compete in other area pools, resulting in inconvenient practice times and excessive transportation, and community members have had to find other non-community resources to pursue swim-related activities.

As a result, the District began a study process in 2017 with a facilitator working with a Board of Education Pool Study Committee. This group ultimately issued a report that called for construction of a District pool. Since that time, the District has secured $2 million in State grant funds through the help of Assemblyman Al Stirpe to support the project, along with dedicating a portion of our District fund balance (savings) to the effort.

The Board of Education commissioned its architects to conceptualize a facility on the site of Cicero-North Syracuse High School. It’s total cost – $16.95 million – will result in an increase in school taxes of about $1.50 per month (less than 1% increase in the tax levy) for an average $100,000 home in the District.

Cicero-North Syracuse High School Community Pool and Associated Support Work Timeline

Design

Expected to kickoff in 2023

Procurement

TBD

Construction

Currently projected to begin Summer 2024, running through to September 2025