EAST SYRACUSE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – Just in time for the 2021-2022 school year, the next chapter in the history of Fremont Elementary has begun.
Originally built in 1964, the building at 115 Richmond Road West underwent renovations as part of the recently completed first phase of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District’s $49.8 million “Elementary Objective” project.
The upgraded facility now contains a community café addition to one end as well as instructional spaces with updated technology, optimized storage and sliding partitions that allow for collaboration between classes. Throughout the K-5 school, new terrazzo floors and wall tiles have also been installed, and its main entrance has been turned into a more centralized vestibule.
Additionally, the school is outfitted with the latest in air purification systems along with improved mechanical, electrical and plumbing fixtures.
“This building truly represents 21st century learning, and I cannot wait to see our students thrive within these new walls,” said Fremont principal Kelsey DeLany at the Aug. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
During the evening event, DeLany extended appreciation to those who persevered through the expected and unexpected challenges of the renovation process over the last two years.
She also said that the “unwavering support” of parents and other family members kept the project afloat, as did the students’ adaptability and positive energy amidst changing schooling circumstances.
DeLany said a newly planted tree near the entrance is meant to welcome the families of students as “essential partners in learning” whenever they visit.
The celebration for the renovations further featured a speech from ESM’s superintendent, Dr. Donna DeSiato, who said the capital improvements would serve present enrollees and future students in the district for the next “half-century and beyond.”
DeSiato specifically thanked the past and current members of the board of education for their leadership, attorneys from Ferrara Fiorenza PC for their legal advisement, employees of King + King Architects for their engagement with the project and the executive cabinet members for their supervision.
Among the other contributors she made sure to highlight were Appel Osborne Landscape Architecture, construction management team Watchdog Building Partners, and the Fremont teachers and staff members, including the school’s mechanics, custodians and groundskeepers.
“Thank you to all who have made this truly amazing work become the reality that you will see tonight,” DeSiato said to the crowd gathered at the Monday ceremony.
Following the ribbon cutting and a brief school band performance of “Ode to Joy,” the attendees were offered the opportunity to tour the school’s interior starting at one of three separate entry points.
According to a district press release, the “Elementary Objective” project funded largely by state building aid will not result in a net tax increase for residents.
Approved by district voters back in December 2018, this project also included renovation work at Woodland Elementary for its first phase, while the already-underway Phase II is set to cover construction at Minoa Elementary and Park Hill School.
That second phase is scheduled to wrap up by the time the 2022-2023 school year starts.
A smaller project fixing up the newer East Syracuse Elementary building is expected to be completed “soon,” the district press release stated.
The first full day of the Fremont Elementary school year will be Sept. 7.
