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Board approves LED stadium lights for Loretta High; project to be paid from excess sales tax
Summary
The Lawrence County Board of Education approved replacement of Loretta High School football stadium lights with LED fixtures and poles; the district will use excess sales tax dollars to fund the capital purchase after a unanimous roll call vote.
The board voted to approve replacement of athletic stadium lights at Loretta High School with LED fixtures and new poles. The district staff explained the work should happen before new bleachers are installed to avoid higher costs and rework. The board approved the measure by roll call, 7–0.
District staff said LUS (a service provider) provided the assessment and a cost-savings analysis: LED fixtures have lower operating costs and doing the lighting work now will avoid additional expense from working around newly installed bleachers. The proposal includes base lighting improvements; schools may be offered optional “show” or entertainment lighting at their own expense.
Funding: the district indicated the purchase will be paid from excess sales tax dollars rather than recurring budget items or fund balance. Finance staff said the district’s fund balance is approximately $17 million and that excess sales tax dollars are typically allocated to capital projects; staff emphasized the district seeks to avoid using ongoing funds for one‑time capital purchases.
Why it matters: the lights are a capital project that affects facilities, operations and utility costs; doing the work now can reduce long‑term operating costs and avoid rework associated with staging around bleacher installation.
Provenance: Discussion of lighting and cost/financing began at the athletic lights item (transcript segment ~s:2736.905) and concluded with the roll call approving the motion (transcript segment ~s:3246.5).
