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Facilities committee backs naming SRS outdoor court for Kevin Newsome; project updates and booster donation advanced
Summary
The facilities committee recommended naming the Swarthmore/Rutledge School (SRS) outdoor basketball court for the late community volunteer Kevin Newsome, reviewed field and building projects and agreed to accelerate consideration of a boosters’ donation for concession stand improvements.
The Wallingford‑Swarthmore facilities committee voted on April 23 to recommend that the school board name the outdoor basketball court at Swarthmore/Rutledge School for the late Kevin Newsome, a parent and community volunteer who led restoration work for the outdoor courts.
Committee members moved and seconded a recommendation to the full board; the committee chair called the voice vote in favor and asked that the formal recommendation be placed on the upcoming board agenda. The petitioners said they will fund a small commemorative placard; the district’s naming policy and administrative regulation process will be followed.
Project updates: Facilities staff reported progress on several site and building items in the packet and during the meeting: - High school softball fields: installation of new premium DynaTek infields on three softball diamonds is in progress. - West school cafeteria: a dual food service line was completed and commissioned during spring break. - High school woodshop: a new fire suppression system was installed April 12. - Bleachers: a facilities inspection identified roughly $90,500 in repairs for high school bleachers; staff are collecting quotes to determine whether repair or replacement is more cost‑effective. - High school chiller: staff reported an internal piping leak in chiller No. 2; the building is currently operating on a single chiller while staff await an external vendor estimate for repairs. - NPE elevator: the state inspection on April 18 passed and the elevator was returned to service.
Booster donation and concessions work: Marissa Mohani, president of the West High School boosters, asked the committee to accept a booster donation that would fund concession‑stand improvements, tentatively including new roll‑up doors, plumbing and floor repaints. The committee agreed to accept the donation earlier than usual so the boosters can complete work and open the concession stand in time for the fall season; staff agreed to place the donation on the next full‑board packet for formal acceptance.
Public comment: Community members at the meeting urged clearer communications about the capital planning process and suggested succinct, public‑facing materials. A resident who identified himself as Leo Carey requested numbered pages and clearer outreach materials for community meetings.
Ending: The committee approved the naming recommendation for the full board and asked staff to continue refining cost estimates and provide bids and schedules for the maintenance and athletics projects described in the packet.
