Resident urges district to increase maintenance of athletic complex after years of volunteer-funded upgrades

During public comment, Tim Venator, a Tecumseh graduate and parent, urged the board to provide greater district support for maintenance of athletic facilities that were built or enhanced through fundraising and donations. Venator recounted the development timeline: a baseball practice field broke ground in 2012, the varsity team first played on the field in 2014, and stadium seating, press boxes and scoreboards were added by 2017. He said program volunteers and parents paid for later enhancements such as batting cages and bullpens. Venator said district maintenance since 2014 has been minimal beyond a 2021 infield surface addition and a recent laser leveling; he gave an example of an outfield fence painted in 2019 paid for by the baseball program and his family. He asked why the district cannot support general maintenance for donated assets and said coaches and families often raise money to address deferred upkeep. Venator requested that staff look into the district’s responsibilities for long-term care and expected a superintendent follow-up. Superintendent-level staff said they would direct someone to respond to his questions. Trustees later discussed athletic facilities in board comments, noting past volunteer-led fundraising and that some items (for example, tennis courts) had been included in sinking-fund plans while other athletic needs may not have a long-term budget. A trustee said administrators had begun meetings to inventory athletic facility needs and incorporate them into capital project planning for five- and ten-year projections.