The funding request for a new Preschool Academy East by Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) has been approved by the Public School Capital Outlay Council (PSCOC). The project is estimated to cost approximately 27 million dollars and is expected to be completed by August 2025. FMS has requested a waiver of construction costs due to being at 100% bond capacity. See the project's proposed timeline below.
Superintendent Cody Diehl hailed the decision that will provide a much-needed new facility for students and staff. The new building will strengthen the school culture, Mr. Diehl said, adding his gratitude towards PSCOC, the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA), and FMS staff for their efforts.
Combining Preschool Academies East and West
The plan for the Preschool Academy East (5840 Fortuna Drive), includes the replacement of the school, exterior facilities, and a new playground on the existing site. The plan will likely combine Academies East and West, which in turn would allow the CATE Center to house more career-oriented programs for high school students.
Built in 1991, the Preschool Academy East had 80 students in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the same academic year, the Preschool Academy West had 157 students. Five-year projections indicate that the school could see a combined enrollment of 525 students in FY2026-2027.
Farmington Municipal Schools presented their plans to build a new preschool academy to the PSCOC on June 9, 2022, in Santa Fe, NM.
The Public School Capital Outlay Council (PSCOC) offers to fund school districts planning the construction or renovation of school buildings by matching the estimated cost of a project. The Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) serves as staff to the PSCOC.
In the past six major projects, FMS invested 58 million dollars to build or renovate McKinley Elementary, Tibbetts Middle, Northeast Elementary, Hermosa Middle, Farmington High, and Country Club Elementary and spent an additional 11 million for costs that were above adequacy.
More information to come on plans and designs. For the latest news from Farmington Municipal Schools, visit farmingtonschools.us or find us on social media.