Twin Valley School District board approves athletic-field design, YMCA care contract and several procurements; fiscal concerns voiced over secretary appointment

Twin Valley School District board members on July 21 approved a professional services proposal to design two turf fields for the district's baseball and softball complexes, a before-and-after-school program agreement with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine at Honey Brook Elementary Center, multiple vendor contracts and several personnel actions. The board also approved an interim administrative services agreement; one board member said she would vote no on the board secretary appointment due to fiscal and succession concerns.

The turf-field proposal moves the district toward replacing the existing baseball and softball surfaces with two synthetic turf fields at a projected budget of approximately $7,000,000. District staff said the scope includes two turf playing surfaces, bleachers, stormwater work and a possible support building for bathrooms or team rooms, depending on stormwater design and infiltration test results. Administration said preliminary testing and demonstrations were scheduled to begin the week of the meeting, and Scott (project staff) will serve as project manager under the previously approved consultant agreement.

The board and administration discussed stormwater permitting and design constraints. District staff noted that the state regulator treats turf fields as impervious surfaces for stormwater purposes, which could require infiltration beds or other controls before the design of any support building is finalized. Board members requested that the design account for future utility needs while excavation occurs and that permanent site utilities and a new flagpole be considered in the work. The administration said officials expect construction to begin after the 2026 spring season; completing the work in time for spring 2027 play was described as unlikely if approvals and construction extend through winter.

Separately the board approved a three-year before-and-after-school services agreement between the district and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine for Honey Brook Elementary Center, with the program set to begin Aug. 25, 2025 and continue through the last school day prior to June 8, 2028. Superintendent and administration said about 37 families contacted the district expressing interest in the program and officials expect enrollment to grow.

In new-business votes the board approved an interim administrative…