Since its construction in 1991, Paul Laurence Dunbar has yet to see any renovations. Now, our 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. If it is part of the building, chances are it is being improved.
Additional funds have been allocated for the construction of several classrooms: $3,853,456 for 9 standard classrooms, $2,056,489 for 10 resource rooms, $1,403,896 for 2 computer classrooms, and $452,428 for 1 special education classroom. In total, the district plans to spend $89,167,880 just at PLD.
However, in the meantime, Dunbar has only seen surface-level changes, like the recent repainting of several walls around the building or the replacement of the carpet in the library.
Dunbar Principal Scott Loscheider states that the ultimate goal of replacing the paint, which had been on the walls since 2005, is to create a cleaner learning environment. He wants to continue with projects that increase school pride, and he hopes to repaint all of Dunbar in the coming years.
Principal Loscheider has one central vision for the school and the upcoming renovations: “I want the buildings and grounds to be reflective of the greatness that is occurring in our classrooms every single day.”
But do aesthetic upgrades distract from the underlying structural issues? Maybe, says senior Aamir Siddiqui.
“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.”
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 31st FCPS public forum, members of the Fayette County community commented on the plan in front of the LPC. But 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 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, the school is almost 1000 students over capacity, violating numerous safety codes and posing dangers to students as they move through crowded hallways.
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, the second-largest district in the state would need approximately $650 million. 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, explore the 2025 District Facility Plan.
