Board approves Lindbergh High athletic-complex upgrades: track replaced, turf added, service road restored

The Lindbergh Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve improvements to the Lindbergh High School athletic complex, including replacement of the track, installation of a turf field on the site used for field hockey and lacrosse, and reconstruction of a service drive to restore direct ambulance access.

Board members moved and seconded the motion during the Jan. 20 meeting; the measure passed 7-0. The board and staff said the work will begin after the high school track season ends in the spring.

District staff described the project scope and procurement approach during the meeting. Officials said the existing track surface is at the end of its usable life and needs replacement. The turf installation will be placed on the field that currently hosts field hockey and lacrosse, and the contractor will sequence work to install the field and then complete the track surface.

Officials also said a retaining wall built during prior work reduced ambulance access on one side of campus; the project includes reconstruction of a service road so emergency vehicles can reach the field from that side of the campus.

Finance staff explained the district used cooperative purchasing agreements to seek competitive pricing for the work. The board discussed membership in national cooperative purchasing programs and heard that the district can buy off pre-bid contracts (the program referenced in the meeting is "TIPS"). Board members clarified that the project is funded from previously approved proposition/bond funds, not from a new appropriation.

The board did not identify a construction contractor during the meeting; details about contractor selection and a project timeline beyond the spring start were not specified.

Votes at the meeting were recorded as: motion by Matt (board member name announced in the meeting), second by Megan; tally: 7 yes, 0 no. No amendments were made during the discussion.

Implementation steps noted in the meeting included sequencing the field installation before finalizing the track surface and restoring the service drive to maintain emergency access. Staff indicated the district used cooperative bids to obtain pricing and that the purchase fit district procurement policy.

The board did not set a separate effective date for the work beyond the described spring start after track season.