Southgate board reopens Garish Walkway question, approves multiple facility purchases

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 agreed to reopen discussion of the Garish Walkway and directed staff to gather pricing and city input, and it approved a set of routine facility and grounds purchases and school handbooks.

The action followed public comment from residents and two Southgate city council members urging the board to reverse a July 15 decision to rescind prior approval for the pathway. Board members voted to have staff return to the board at the next meeting with concrete and asphalt cost options and with outreach to city officials before the board considers an action item.

Resident Joseph Casper, speaking during public comment, appealed to the board to reconsider the rescission, saying the path "has become a real public asset" used by generations for walking, jogging and bicycling. City Councilman Ed Dollick and Councilwoman Karen George also told the board the community values the walkway; George said residents "do want it open."

Board member Dr. Pomponio told colleagues she had initially supported rescinding the prior approval after staff reported the district had no current student use of the path, but that community outreach and her own site visit persuaded her to support further review. Several board members said they do not plan to block reconsideration and asked staff to provide comparative pricing and to consult the city before the next meeting.

In other business the board approved multiple action items discussed during the meeting. Staff described the purchases and recommendations; board motions and voice votes approved the items as presented. Key approvals included:

Votes at a glance: - Handbooks: Board approved the 2025–26 student handbooks for Anderson High School, Davidson Middle School, Davidson Middle Academy and technology handbooks. Motion moved by Dr. Pomponio; voice vote approved. - Grounds equipment (Z Spray Max stand-on spreader sprayer): Board approved purchase of a Z Spray Max stand-on spreader sprayer from Weingartz. Staff recommended a quote of $19,009.27; a motion was made to approve the purchase not to exceed $19,927, and the motion passed on voice vote. Grounds staff said current contractor applications cost about $4,500 per application for a limited area and estimated a two-and-a-half-year payback compared with contracting; annual chemical costs for weed control were described as roughly $1,000. - Concrete replacement (Davidson Board Office and shelters): Board approved Royal Cement's estimate to remove and replace selected concrete areas, with a contingency, not to exceed $40,283.10. The motion passed on voice vote. Staff said the work targets trip hazards and walkways near the board office, shelters and Davidson Middle School. - Northpointe classroom renovation (Room 16): Board approved carpeting and finish work to convert four offices back into a classroom at Northpointe, award to Cones Commercial Flooring not to exceed $7,590. Staff said the district removed temporary walls previously installed by another user of the space and that the work will match existing carpet; the recommended vendor had stock that met the school timeline. - Retractable batting cage (indoor multipurpose space): Board approved purchase and installation of a retractable batting cage, recommended from Carter Compton, not to exceed $14,900. Staff said the galvanized-steel frame is expected to last decades and the net would be the primary periodic replacement (estimated service life of several years for nets).

Board discussion and next steps: Board members asked staff to obtain both concrete and asphalt estimates for the Garish Walkway, to document any cost differences given that demolition work already done by district crews reduces some costs, and to consult with the city about what the city would prefer or contribute. Several members asked that the superintendent and facilities staff complete that background work and return a formal action item at the next board meeting.

Quotes used in this report are direct and attributable to speakers recorded during the public meeting. The board held voice votes on each final motion; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board adjourned after approving the items above and setting the Garish Walkway for further action at a subsequent meeting.