Fifteen-year-old Bailey Braden, a recent eighth-grade student at Lopes Middle School, presented a petition with more than 850 signatures during a Lincoln Public Schools public forum, asking the district to improve athletic and play fields at elementary and middle schools.

Bailey said the issue is widespread across the district and described a range of field conditions—from worn dirt and gravel at Robinson Elementary to tall weeds and sparse grass at Pirtle and other schools. "It's the school fields," Bailey said, explaining that poor field conditions discourage moderate to vigorous physical activity and may affect children's health and classroom performance.

Bailey suggested solutions including removing weeds, overseeding or installing new sod where necessary, and using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage pests safely. She suggested a phased approach, beginning with Luxe Middle School and Pearl Elementary, and fundraising through local business sponsorship similar to Nebraska City's model, where fence signage helps fund turf projects.

District staff and board members thanked Bailey for her advocacy. Liz Standish, Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs, offered to accept any materials Bailey wanted to submit for the board's consideration and to serve as a point of contact. One board member said the ideas "will be considered," and another thanked Bailey for the effort of gathering signatures and representing the student's voice.

In the discussion that followed, staff noted long-standing district water restrictions and drought-prone conditions that influence field maintenance. Community speakers at the forum discussed drought-tolerant grasses such as buffalo grass or blue grama as lower-water alternatives that some districts use.

Ending: District officials said the petitions and supporting materials would be accepted for board consideration and that the idea could be discussed as part of longer-term facilities and 10-year planning work.