Southgate school board approves concrete replacement for Gerrish Community Walkway, 4-2

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education voted 4-2 on Sept. 9 to approve replacing the Gerrish Community Walkway with concrete, approving a construction amount not to exceed $32,762 and awarding the work to Royal Cement.

District staff recommended concrete over asphalt on the grounds of lower long-term maintenance costs. Staff said asphalt would require crack filling and sealing about every three years at an estimated $1,400 per application in today’s dollars, while concrete would require less frequent maintenance. “For concrete, we’re recommending the concrete because of the long term, maintenance recommendation, every 3 years or $1,400 in today’s, dollars to keep that crack filled and sealed,” a staff member said during the meeting.

The board heard technical details from staff about slab thickness and heavy-equipment traffic: the proposal includes 4-inch concrete in lower-traffic portions and 6-inch concrete where district mowing equipment is expected to cross. “We put the 6 inch where we know the mower is gonna travel more likely so that, the life of the concrete, stays longer,” the staff member said. The path will be five feet wide to allow passing and to meet ADA considerations.

Board members debated whether replacing the walkway advanced the district’s educational mission and how the walkway is used by the community. Board member Green said the issue involved community collaboration: “Collaboration’s a two-way street,” he told colleagues, urging both cooperation with the city and attention to student needs. Other members described seeing local teams and events use the area; one board member said they observed Vikings practices, cheer practices and family events on the fields adjacent to the path.

Opponents framed the decision as a budget-priority choice. One board member said the $32,762 could instead buy roughly 50 Chromebooks or be redirected toward student trips and services and therefore voted against the motion. There were no staff reports of liability incidents tied to public use of the path.

Motion and vote details: Dr. Pomponi moved to approve the concrete walkway with Royal Cement not to exceed $32,762; Mr. Sage supported the motion. The board chair called the vote; the motion passed, recorded as four yes votes and two no votes.

The board did not identify additional funding sources in the meeting record. The project will proceed under the district’s existing contracting arrangement with Royal Cement; staff said Royal’s pricing was verified and that the district holds a five-year contract for concrete work with Royal Cement.