The Sioux City Community School District Board of Education on Sept. 22 approved an eight-year lease with Morningside University that will allow the university to install an artificial-turf infield at East High School’s baseball field.

Supporters said the turf is an opportunity to improve facilities and strengthen partnership with Morningside; opponents warned about equity across the district, unclear ongoing costs and potential building- and site-related expenses. The board approved the lease by roll call, 5–2.

The issue prompted several public comments before the board discussion. “Please vote no for this lease agreement,” said Terry Kilberg, who told the board he opposed the deal on fiscal and equity grounds. Kilberg raised several specific points the board heard later in discussion, including the proposed $495,000 price for the turf, uncertainty about long-term replacement costs, and whether the district would ultimately bear unanticipated repair or code-compliance expenses.

David Hall, another resident who participated in previous facility projects, warned the board to confirm whether the city’s building and occupancy code would require additional work, such as restrooms, exits, plumbing and detention improvements, saying those costs had fallen to taxpayers on other projects. “I just wanna make sure that is that facility going to be able to be used with the occupancy, with the people, with the parking spaces that they require,” Hall said.

Board members questioned cost estimates and who would be responsible for future work. Director Miller said he was concerned that the district had been left to pay for unexpected site work before and did not want a repeat. Director Michaelson (sometimes transcribed as Michelson) framed the proposal as a “head start” for improving aging high-school facilities across the district and described the partnership with Morningside as an asset the district should use. “I view this as an opportunity when I see the opportunity for us to do something for all of our schools,” Michaelson said.

Board member and finance-focused Director Myers said the lease would result in a usable turf infield for East students and framed the decision as accepting an outside offer rather than waiting until the district could pay for identical improvements at all three high schools. “This lease is Morningside will install a $500,000 infield, turf infield at the East ballpark,” Myers said, adding the field’s usable life estimates range widely depending on the source.

The board also discussed figures presented during public comment and by staff: the proposed turf installation cost of roughly $495,000; a district rental policy cited in public comment that charges $250 per hour with a two-hour minimum for high school fields; and a repair-sharing arrangement described in testimony that Morningside would cover up to $5,000 of repairs, with costs above that split 50/50 between the district and Morningside. Public comment and board discussion noted different replacement-cost estimates: earlier board presenters referenced a $250,000 replacement figure, while a manufacturer estimate cited during public comment ranged from about $350,000 to $450,000.

Legal counsel read a provision from the draft lease that assigns certain compliance responsibilities. Quoting lease language on the record, district counsel said the agreement includes that “the school district and the university will make no unlawful use of the property and agree to comply with all valid regulations of the board of health, city ordinances or applicable municipality, the laws of the State of Iowa, and the federal government,” and noted “responsibility for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act shall be performed and paid for by the school district.”

Board members also debated equity concerns: several directors and speakers said they would prefer a districtwide plan covering the three high schools, while others said accepting donor or partner-funded improvements where available is prudent given statutory limits on using general funds for capital projects. Director Greenwell and others explained that large capital projects are typically funded through voter-approved PPEL (physical plant and equipment levy) or other dedicated capital sources; the district does not currently have a PPEL in place and cannot use general operating funds for many capital improvements.

After discussion and a roll-call vote, the board approved the lease 5–2 (Greenwell: yes; Lee: no; Myers: yes; Michaelson: yes; Miller: no; Emke: yes; George: yes). The motion passed and the board moved on to other business. The lease includes compliance provisions and an ADA clause; details about installation schedule, maintenance responsibilities and replacement funding will be implemented under the lease terms and through staff follow-up.

The board did not adopt a districtwide turf plan at the meeting; several members said they would continue discussing funding and timing for improvements at the other high schools in future budget and facilities planning sessions.