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Residents press Wantagh board for details after proposed soccer-club-funded field lights spark concern
Summary
Residents urged the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education for clear terms after discussions with a soccer organization about donating money for lights on the high school field; the district said no agreement has been signed and that issues including parking, security, scheduling and wear-and-tear remain under review.
Residents packed the public comment period of the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education’s June 5 business meeting to press for details about a proposed donation from a soccer organization to fund lights and expanded community use of the high school athletic field.
Board members and Superintendent John McNamara said the district has had discussions with the soccer club but has not entered into any agreement. “The reason why there’s nothing to report on field lights is because we don’t, we have not entered into an agreement with the soccer club,” McNamara said. “We’re still actively exploring and discussing those things and nothing has been determined or finalized.”
Why it matters: Neighbors said the proposal could add late-night activity, noise, parking pressure and more wear on an athletic field that currently has no lights. Multiple speakers asked whether field users would be required to park in school lots, who would provide security, whether restrooms and PA systems would be accessible, and who would pay for increased field maintenance.
At the meeting, commenters described recurring disruption near the school and urged the district to provide a full schedule and firm contract terms before allowing expanded use. One resident said the donation “kinda feels like a bribe” if tied to guaranteed access; another told the board bluntly, “We want answers.” Several speakers asked whether family members of board members had solicited the club — an allegation the superintendent called “insulting” and denied.
Board response and next steps: District officials told the meeting that any future arrangement would rely on the district’s facilities-use policies, require adequate insurance, and likely require organizations to police their own events. McNamara said exterior restrooms could be made available but that PA systems and similar equipment typically would remain controlled by the district. He said the district would seek terms that protect current users’ access to fields and that parking restrictions (limiting nonresident parking to school lots) have been discussed but are not yet agreed to.
No formal vote or contract was presented at the meeting. The board specifically noted it had not accepted the donation and that it would return to the community with details only after negotiations concluded and any agreement was brought to the board for approval.
Community concerns raised: Speakers repeatedly cited noise at early hours, littering and blocked driveways and crosswalks during events; worries about privacy and property damage from balls reaching backyards; and uncertainty about how long any agreement would last or when lights (if approved) would be installed. Several called for stronger, enforceable parking and lighting limits, limits on nonresident use and advance public schedules of events.
What was decided: Discussion only. No agreement, vote or contract was authorized at the June 5 meeting.
What to watch for: If trustees decide to pursue an agreement, the board would be expected to bring a facilities-use contract back to a public meeting that specifies insurance, security, parking, schedule controls, maintenance responsibilities and any community safeguards.
