Board approves EMS track and field renovation, citing accessibility and capacity needs

The Emporia Board of Education voted unanimously to award a contract for renovation of the Emporia Middle School track and relocation of throwing areas, approving the higher-cost option presented to the board and authorizing work to begin under the submitted bid.

District administrators and middle-school principals framed the project as addressing long‑standing accessibility and capacity problems: the current EMS facilities lack accessible routes for wheelchair users, force students and visiting teams to use off-site or high-school facilities, and concentrate heavy use on a single turf field in town. Principals said between roughly 25 and 70 students participate in track in a given spring season, and noted the project would also support daily physical-education use, student events and middle‑school band and pep activities.

Pam Strandafan, assistant superintendent for business operations, described funding and capital-outlay planning: the district’s capital outlay receipts are projected in a multi-year plan and include carryforward funds that the administration said make the project feasible without altering operating budgets. Facilities staff and the contractor noted that the earliest start date would be a few weeks after board approval, with the football turf scheduled to be usable by mid‑August and the track surfacing work targeted for late September or early October (timing subject to curing and weather conditions).

Contractor representatives and facilities staff told the board the project will include a new secure throwing area (cages), improved parking and concrete access for wheelchair users, and replacement or major work on the running surface. Discussion by board members and staff also emphasized the community benefits of being able to host meets locally, reduce heavy repetitive use that accelerates wear on one turf field, and improve supervision and campus cohesion.

Board members reviewed two cost options during discussion: a lower-cost option (discussed in meeting materials as roughly $1.4–$1.5 million) and a higher-cost, more comprehensive option (discussed around $3.6 million in the presentation). The board voted to approve the higher-dollar option and contract with ATG Sports as presented. The motion to approve contracting with ATG Sports for the renovation and throwing-area relocation passed 7-0.

District staff noted similarly-sized capital projects and deferred-maintenance items remain on a rolling five-year plan that the administration reviews to sustain equipment, HVAC and playground needs; board members asked that longer-term facility priorities (wrestling rooms, natatorium seating and playground replacement) be considered in future planning cycles.

The board directed staff to proceed with contract finalization, coordinate timelines with coaches and schools, and provide updates on schedule and budget during project implementation.