School board declines junior baseball league’s long‑term lease request, keeps current annual arrangement

The Exeter School District Board of Education voted to decline a proposal from the Junior Baseball League to move from the district’s current annual-use arrangement to a long-term lease, including a proposed 99‑year term.

Board members told the league’s representatives they prefer to preserve the district’s ability to adapt facilities use as needs change and to review any future requests — such as for lighting — on a case-by-case basis.

The facilities committee recommended against adopting a long-term lease after discussing the league’s request at length. Committee members said the district’s existing process for annual approvals has functioned well and allows the board to review specific future changes, including potential impacts on neighbors, lighting and design. The committee noted a 99‑year lease would bind the board for decades and was therefore inappropriate.

At the full board meeting a motion was made on behalf of the facilities committee to not approve the request to enter into a licensing or lease agreement with the Junior Baseball League. The motion carried and the board asked staff to notify the league representative, identified in the meeting as Mr. Provost, of the decision.

Board members also discussed that the league did not make a specific, formal request during its appearance for new field lighting; several members said the league may prefer some assurance before committing to major fundraising or capital work. Trustees said the league may return with a narrower, specific request (for example, for lighting or irrigation) for the board to consider, but the board declined to grant a long-term lease that would limit future options.

The decision preserves the current annual-use process and keeps requests for major changes subject to board review and public vetting.