A student and several community members told the Wallingford Board of Education on July 28 that the track at Sheehan High School is showing significant deterioration less than two years after installation, and asked the district to fix safety hazards before the school year begins. "I did walk the track today," Superintendent Belizzi said, "I did take a look at it." Belizzi and staff said they are pursuing repairs under the installation contract where possible.

The concerns centered on a large area where a section of the track surface lifts and a ‘‘crease’’ or wrinkle on a curve that some speakers described as a cracking hazard. Student Dylan Vasquez, who identified himself as a Sheehan student and pole-vaulter, asked whether anyone had inspected the track and what would be done to make it safe for future athletes. "Has anybody come to the track to see what's causing the issue?" he asked during public comment.

Why it matters: Board members and the public said the surface failure creates a safety risk for students and community users and undermines confidence after a roughly $2 million project to build the field and track. The district said it is working to fix the defects promptly and will use warranty coverage where appropriate, but some repairs are likely to be the district's responsibility.

What officials said: Operations staff member Deptula told the board his team located three problem areas and that only one is a warranty issue. "Two of these damaged areas appear to be wheel damage," Deptula said, adding that a vehicle wheel (truck or golf cart) cut the rubberized surface in places and those cuts are not covered by the five-year warranty. He said the contractor and the architect were notified and responded the same day the district engaged them.

Superintendent Belizzi told the board the contract includes a five-year warranty and that the district is negotiating with the installer about what the warranty will cover. "We are aware of what is happening to the tracks," Belizzi said, and added the district wants the surface "ready to go for the start of the school year."

Board members sought specifics and timetables. Board member Ross asked for a list of identified damages, repair costs and a timetable; Deptula said the district will share a detailed list and pricing at the next operations meeting and that most repairs would take two to three days and be scheduled around athletic events. Several members pressed staff about drainage and installation choices, noting repeated water pooling earlier this year and a clogged pipe that had contained a tree trunk.

What the district will do: Deptula said staff will notify the installer (the district planned to notify the vendor on the Wednesday after the meeting) and that the architect and contractor have already visited the site. He also said the district will seek multiple repair price estimates but is limited to the installing vendor if it wants to preserve warranty coverage.

Outstanding questions and community concerns: Board members and public speakers asked whether the contractor selection, procurement process, or site preparation (drainage and curbing) contributed to the premature failures; district staff said some issues are being evaluated but that two damaged areas appear to be from wheel cuts rather than installation defects. Several board members asked about possible insurance claims; Deptula said estimated repair work under discussion was below the town deductible and therefore unlikely to be covered by insurance.

What to expect next: The district will notify the installer, obtain firm pricing, and present a detailed list of defects and repair estimates at the next operations meeting. Superintendent Belizzi said the district will follow up privately with citizens who requested additional information.

Closing note: The board's public comment and subsequent staff answers combined public concern, a student's safety question and a technical staff assessment that separates warranty-covered repairs from damage the district believes resulted from vehicle contact.