FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND REFERENDUM
ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 3, 2026
A NEW FUTURE FOR FMS
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, residents of the Fairfield Community School District will vote on a $24.8 million general obligation bond referendum question.
An approved general obligation bond referendum will not increase FCSD’s property tax levy rates.
Revenue from an approved referendum would enable our district to move forward with reshaping Fairfield Middle School. This would ensure the campus continues to properly serve new generations of Trojans.
FACILITY CHALLENGES
Originally constructed in 1966, Fairfield Middle School and its grounds have undergone comprehensive assessments in recent years, identifying more than $40 million in deficiencies and necessary improvements.
The extensive list of issues that can be found at the campus includes:
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No secure entrance, which raises safety and security concerns.
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The building was constructed too low on its present site, resulting in persistent water infiltration.
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The building envelope lacks secondary drainage and flashing behind the exterior cladding, causing some walls to leak.
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The windows in the original middle school portion of the building are single-pane glass and leak both air and water.
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The original building is not fully accessible and does not comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
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Classroom sizes are approximately 150 square feet below modern education standards. The building's wings are too narrow to accommodate larger classroom sizes without making the rooms long and narrow.
The middle school is not equipped to meet the 21st-century educational needs of our students and staff—and it does not reflect the values and priorities our community places on education.
OUR PROPOSAL
The current proposal to address the challenges at Fairfield Middle School is a hybrid plan that will allow us to make updates at the campus without displacing students. Maintaining continuity is a priority to ensure learning continues without interruption.
The two-part proposal begins with a first phase to be completed with $22.5 million in school infrastructure bonds. This will be repaid using state sales tax revenue the district receives from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund, plus an additional $4 million in SAVE revenue currently on hand.
These funds would support the construction of a new 50,000 square-foot addition on the north end of FMS. Groundbreaking would begin in 2027 and students would move into the addition in fall 2028.
When the new addition is complete, the two floors on the east side will be demolished. This portion of the school presents the most water infiltration issues and is expensive to maintain.
Phase I will also include targeted improvements to the existing building, focusing on resolving drainage problems and water infiltration. Existing portions of the middle school—such as the gymnasium, kitchen, cafeteria, band room, and fine arts spaces on the west side—would continue to be used. The current 5th grade wing would remain in place and be repurposed in the future for offices or student services.
Phase II work at the middle school would be funded with a $24.8 million general obligation bond that must be approved by at least 60% of voters on November 3, 2026. This phase would allow the district to construct new fine arts spaces, gymnasiums, and career and technical education spaces, along with a new library, commons/lunch area, and kitchen.
District officials are seeking community partners to provide financial support for the planned Phase II projects. For example, a capital campaign led by a Board of Education-appointed committee would focus on funding a new competition gym. Potential grants are also being targeted.
NO TAX RATE INCREASE
An approved general obligation bond referendum on November 3 will not increase FCSD’s property tax levy rates.
School infrastructure bonds would be repaid using statewide sales tax revenue the district receives—not local property taxes.
