As the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District prepares to welcome students and staff back for the 2026-27 school year, crews have been busy ensuring buildings and grounds are prepared and ready for another successful year.
Phase one of the 2024 Capital Project aims to ensure every student has access to a safe, healthy, and modern learning environment. In line with the district’s strategic plan, these upgrades prioritize student wellness and operational efficiency, ensuring that facilities support the high standards of learning taking place in and outside of Jamesville-DeWitt classrooms.
Parking Lot Safety and Efficiency
The biggest transformation is underway at Tecumseh Elementary School, where the parking lot and entrance are being reconfigured. To ease traffic congestion and improve student safety during peak arrival and dismissal times, crews are constructing a dedicated parent drop-off loop that is separate from a new bus loop and parking lot in front of the school.
“The Tecumseh lot is one of the biggest undertakings for this part of the project, and we are right where we need to be as September approaches,” shared Superintendent Darcy Woodcock. “Work of this scale naturally brings temporary disruptions, and we are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support and patience of our neighbors and staff. Ultimately, this investment will provide a safer, more functional and efficient facility for everyone.”
Tecumseh’s updated parking lot layout will include wider pedestrian sidewalks and new exterior lighting to ensure the school is safe and accessible for all students, staff, and visitors. Other improvements will include new school signage, an updated restroom, and high-efficiency HVAC equipment replacements to improve air quality and temperature control.
Elevating Wellness and Athletics
Improvements are also shaping up across the district’s athletic facilities. At Lyndon Field, a new varsity baseball complex is being built as part of a long-term initiative to centralize baseball and softball fields and streamline field maintenance. Crews are installing an artificial turf infield, a natural grass outfield, updated dugouts, and perimeter fencing.
A similar turf infield will be added to the varsity softball field, which will significantly improve field drainage and reduce spring weather cancellations. Additional wellness upgrades are also taking place at J-D High School, where the tennis courts are being resurfaced and fenced. These changes will provide improved environments for physical education, team sports, and the community.
Learning Through Play
The district’s youngest learners will also benefit from new outdoor spaces this fall. All three district elementary schools are getting playground equipment specifically tailored to the developmental needs of Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) students. The structures were intentionally designed to be safe, inclusive, and accessible to every child. Families and students will be able to see these new additions during upcoming back to school events. More information will be provided by building principals.
Timeline
Weather permitting, the majority of phase one capital project work is still expected to wrap up prior to the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
You can see renderings and learn more about work taking place in all of the buildings and on school grounds by visiting the district website.