Since its construction in 1991, Paul Laurence Dunbar has yet to see any renovations. But according to the latest renovation plans, the community can finally look forward to long-overdue upgrades. Fayette County Board of Education’s Local Planning Committee (LPC) recently unveiled the 2025 District Facility Plan, outlining plans to construct school buildings, renovate facilities, and replace critical systems. Dunbar is listed as the number one priority, with construction to start sometime between 2026 and 2028.
A 2022 Lamplighter article stated that, at the time, repairs to Dunbar were expected to cost $42,711,763. Today, that figure has almost doubled, and FCPS now estimates renovations to Dunbar will cost $81,401,611. The proposed changes include upgrades to sidewalks, asphalt, interior finishes, and technology, along with complete replacements of the roofing system, doors, building hardware, mechanical and HVAC systems, electrical and network infrastructure, plumbing fixtures, and more.
Additional funds have been allocated for the construction of several classrooms: $3,853,456 for nine standard classrooms, $2,056,489 for 10 resource rooms, $1,403,896 for two computer classrooms, and $452,428 for one special education classroom. In total, the district plans to spend $89,167,880 on PLD.
This year, Dunbar has only been able to make surface-level changes, such as the recent repainting of several walls around the building and the replacement of the carpet in the library. But some students question if aesthetic upgrades only distract from the underlying structural issues.
“Bad plumbing in bathrooms, cracked floor tiles, hot classrooms—I’ve seen or experienced all of these things just in the last week. I even remember a gas leak we had a few years ago. I feel like this new plan is an opportunity to focus on bigger problems,” senior Aamir Siddiqui said.
Schools across the country face similar challenges. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average public school building in the United States is 49 years old, with 38% constructed before 1970. Additionally, a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that approximately 54% of public school districts need to update or replace multiple building systems or features, such as HVAC systems, plumbing, or roofing.
At a March 31 FCPS public forum, members of the Fayette County community commented on the plan in front of the LPC. While Dunbar was identified as the main focus, much of the conversation centered around Lafayette High School.
Multiple parents and educators emphasized the need for a complete rebuild of the school instead of renovations. One concerned Lafayette parent, Joy Clevenger, likened the remodeling effort to “putting a band-aid on a bullet hole.” She and others addressed aging facilities, mold, and temperature control problems affecting the health and education of students. Additionally, she said that the school is nearly 1000 students over capacity, which she alleged was a possible violation of numerous safety codes.
Despite complaints that the school needs additional resources, Lafayette is still set to receive major renovations as the district’s second priority. Building sections constructed in 1939, 1965, 1973, and 1975 will be upgraded as part of a series of projects totaling $75.53 million.
Other topics at the public forum included SCAPA at Bluegrass, Maxwell Elementary, and the new George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys. To complete all of the 40+ projects on their priority list, Fayette County would need approximately $650 million. As of now, the District Facility Plan has been sent to the Kentucky Department of Education for review.
For more information on proposed renovations to Fayette County schools, you can review the 2025 District Facility Plan.
