Committee previews middle-school outdoor plan: 300‑meter practice track, shed and fence options

District staff presented a mid-project contingency tracker and a draft layout for the new middle school’s outdoor athletic spaces at the facilities committee meeting, and asked the committee to review large pending items now so the district can return in July with final costs.

Staff member Steve reviewed the contingency tracker and reminded the committee that “Dr. Brown has the ability through board policy to approve expenditures and changes up to $50,000,” while items between $50,000 and $99,000 require committee approval and larger items need full board approval. Rebecca, district staff, displayed the tracker and explained Vogel Brothers is completing a mid-project reconciliation that could identify additional savings.

Jeff (staff member) described the site plan for the outdoor area behind the middle school and said the project’s base bid now includes resurfacing the track into a 300‑meter practice track. Jeff said the 300‑meter surface “will, with a good service on it, suffice for practice” but that official meets would still be held at the high school because the middle-school track is not a full 400‑meter competition track.

To make the outdoor layout work, staff described moving some field-event areas: the long jump and high jump pits were shifted, and discus/shot-put throwing areas were moved to the north side with a concrete pad and portable safety netting for discus. Jeff also described a planned shed northwest of the track that would store track equipment, portable fences and some facilities equipment; the shed would have garage doors for easy access.

Committee members raised safety and drainage questions. Will (staff member) said a village retention pond on the east side will occasionally hold water after heavy rain but would be “mostly dry,” and staff proposed nets behind goal posts to keep kicked footballs from reaching the pond or adjacent properties — including St. John’s Cemetery. John (facilities staff) described the current chain-link fence as decades old, with holes and failing posts, and recommended either removing or replacing the fence. Staff presented three broad options: replace the fence, remove it and rely on the existing landscape, or remove fence and add camera “virtual fence” technology; all options would have different maintenance and cost implications.

Staff emphasized the team is still finalizing design and pricing and plans to return to the facilities committee in July with detailed costs, including any items that will require committee or full-board approval. Rebecca said the district is in a “strong financial position” overall and staff has been holding funds for the larger middle/high school campus conversation. Staff also offered tours of the sites to board members prior to July’s meeting.