Superintendent Dr. Carrie Cannon told the Fairfield Community Schools board July 10 that district staff and a volunteer task force recommend relocating the band practice area to the back of campus, near the planned softball/baseball/tennis complex.
The move is proposed to address safety and space constraints on the landlocked campus and would include a new access road, temperature‑controlled instrument storage, relocation of the band tower, sidewalk extensions and stadium lighting. Dr. Cannon said the district is recommending Garmann Miller and Weigand Construction to develop the project and plans to present a contract to the board in August.
Members of the volunteer band task force described the project as long‑needed and expressed support for leaving facilities in better condition for future students. Adam Young, a task force member, said the project responds to growth in the program and long‑standing needs. Board member Sarah Elledge said she was “very excited” and added, “I never thought in my wildest dreams this would happen, so to hear we are moving forward is very exciting.”
No formal contract vote occurred at the July meeting; Dr. Cannon framed the presentation as a recommendation and told the board staff will bring formal contract documents for board consideration in August. The district estimated the new practice area could be completed in about 12 months but said the schedule is contingent on design and contracting timelines.
Details discussed by staff included using the new access road for overflow parking during simultaneous athletic events, storing difficult‑to‑move instruments in heated storage (with heat turned off in winter), and installing stadium lights. Funding sources, final cost estimates and a construction start date were not specified during the discussion.
The band recommendation and task force work were presented during the superintendent’s report section of the July 10 meeting; board members and task force volunteers participated in the discussion but the board did not take a formal vote on the project at that time.