Board approves up to $2.57 million for synthetic turf, schedules capital-plan workshop

Brighton Area Schools trustees voted unanimously Monday to approve a not-to-exceed $2,570,000 budget for a three-field synthetic turf replacement plan and to accelerate discussion of a drafted five-year capital improvement program.

The vote followed a two-hour facilities briefing that covered options for turf fibers and subsurface shock pads, a longer-range list of campus projects identified in an internal master list and a Plant Moran assessment, and a schedule for public engagement and financing decisions.

Why it matters: The district is weighing roughly $30 million in identified needs over five years against about $8.9 million in available capital-project funds. Trustees and administration discussed bond and sinking-fund approaches, timing constraints for a November ballot and next steps to solicit community input.

Board, staff and consultants said the turf package was priced to lock current vendor and consortium rates for work this summer (Scranton) and next summer (two high-school fields). Consultants from Forsyth Design reviewed three vendor packages and recommended installing a shock pad beneath turf (consultant: Brock pad preferred) to extend field life and reduce long-term fiber wear. The board’s adopted “do-not-exceed” figure includes product, pad, site work and contingency.

Presenters and discussion John Thompson, staff member, led the turf briefing with Mike Sims (Forsyth Design) and vendor comparisons. Thompson described three vendor proposals and said AstroTurf, Shaw and Sprinturf returned consortium pricing; Shaw’s higher-end products and AstroTurf’s midrange price were highlighted. He said pads materially increase field longevity and recommended the district budget for pads rather than omit them.

Mike Sims (Forsyth Design) said pads typically allow fields to last an additional several years and make field repairs easier because pad panels can be replaced individually. He said some pad products are manufactured in Michigan and that pad panels generally must be stored out of direct sun if removed.

Board members pressed for technical testing data before selecting a newer woven turf product. Consultants said third-party lab testing exists and can be provided; trustees asked that facilities committee review any additional testing or site visits before final product selection for the high-school stadium.

Financing and timing Superintendent Dr. Outlaw and trustees discussed next steps: a public workshop and financing outline at the board meeting on April 14, possible Baker Tilly participation to model bond vs. sinking-fund scenarios, and a community feedback survey to be launched as part of the district’s outreach. Administration noted an internal Plant Moran facilities assessment is already feeding the list of priorities that will be refined with the board. The Michigan Department of Treasury timeline for an application to put work on a November ballot was discussed; trustees were told an application would likely need to be ready by June if the board chose a November bond.

Trustees also voted earlier in the meeting to move the turf item from “future action” to “for action” before taking the funding vote.

What passed (board action) - Motion: Move turf replacement topic to for-action (mover not specified in the record). Outcome: approved, 7-0. - Motion: Approve a not-to-exceed $2,570,000 for turf-replacement work (includes pads and contingency). Moved by Ms. Tierney; supported by Ms. Marks. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

What’s next Administration will obtain third-party testing data for the woven product on the table, provide additional cost and scheduling detail to the facilities committee, and bring final specifications back to the board. The April 14 meeting will include a capital-plan workshop and further discussion of funding strategies and community outreach timelines.

Quotes "I would recommend you look at a pad — I think it's money well spent," said Mike Sims of Forsyth Design during the presentation.

Ending: The district’s next step is a public engagement push and an April workshop to prioritize projects and identify funding options; the board reserved formal budgeting and final product selection for upcoming meetings.