BuildSmart supports the construction of a world-class high school. Specifically, we advocate more attention to two innovative, best-of-both-worlds solutions presented by school board members Kring and Heil in the spring of 2007.

Both plans place two buildings on the present acreage: first, a new 3-4 story building would be constructed across Stone Street at the site of district's administration building; once complete, the 10-12 graders would move in and renovation would begin on a (now empty) 9th or 9th/10th grade center and world-class performing arts center.

The total construction time is estimated to be 3-4 years, though the first building would be occupied in approximately half that time. The estimated total cost is $65-77 million. The result would be a modern high school in which younger students are separated from older students in side-by-side buildings of fewer than 1500 students each. Yet everyone would share access to world-class academic, performing arts, and athletic facilities.

In short, this solution delivers a 21st century facility, safely and affordably. It also combines the advantages of two smaller schools with those of one big school.

BuildSmart's role in the discussion about FHS has been that of educator, urging the board and the community to examine factors – and possibilities – previously overlooked. Specifically, we have:

• provided more realistic estimates of the high price of reconstructing the entire FHS campus elsewhere.
• uncovered the many hidden costs of moving the FHS campus.
• examined the detrimental impact moving FHS for student safety and academic opportunity.
• computed the substantial increase in commuting together with higher transportation costs and carbon dioxide emissions if FHS is relocated on the edge of our community.
• looked at how other school districts have been successful at building world-class facilities on existing sites.

In the spirit of education, this website features the information we have presented to the board, the business community, and the media thus far. We encourage you to explore:

• How We Got Here: Read a quick history...of the high school debate and BuildSmart.
• What BuildSmart Thinks: View our arguments - and data - in a nutshell.
• Our Publications: Access the BuildSmart flier, petition, commute maps, and more.
• The Petition: Join the hundreds of Fayetteville residents urging the Fayetteville Board of Education to rebuild a world-class FHS on its current site.
• High School Showcase: See how other school districts around the country were able to build excellent facilities without sprawling campuses on the edge of town.
• BuildSmart Blog: Read, and respond, to what BuildSmart allies - and our critics - are thinking.

BuildSmart believes a decision of this magnitude requires both high quality information and a lot of citizen input. Thank you for visiting. We are glad to receive your comments and questions on our blog and by email.