Middleton board approves donor-funded artificial turf fields; agreement requires proof of funds before work begins

Brent Orton, an engineer working with Orp Engineering on the project, told the Middleton School District Board of Trustees that a private donor has offered to fund construction of artificial turf practice and competition fields at Middleton High School and asked the board to approve a donor agreement that would allow the donor to procure and install the work in phases.

Orton said the donor would privately solicit bids and that Orp Engineering would prepare specifications and oversee construction. "This project is made possible by a donor who's willing to build the fields," Orton said during his presentation. He and district staff described two procurement paths: the district could accept donated cash and procure the work under Idaho Code procurement rules (Title 67), or the donor…