Central SD 13J to pursue turf and track replacement after community pledges $790,000

At its June meeting, the Central School District 13J Board of Directors asked the superintendent and district staff to pursue feasibility, legal advice and procurement steps for replacing the high school turf and resurfacing the track after community organizers said they had raised or pledged about $790,000 toward the project.

Community members described the field as a daily-used facility for athletics and community events, and said recent safety testing shows the turf and track are degrading. “We’re asking that you partner with us in the way of $790,000,” said Drew Baker, a community member speaking on behalf of a group of parents and donors. Baker told the board the group had secured donations and in-kind offers that reduced the project cost from an earlier estimate.

The request for district partnership followed technical details the group presented about safety testing. Baker said the campaign’s best GMAX results averaged about 72, with some spots testing as high as 92; he said ideal GMAX values are about 90 to 115 and that a GMAX reading of 200 is treated as condemning a field. “At 200, the field is condemned and is not usable, and they start using words like death and serious injury,” Baker said.

Eli Sereno, a district physical-education teacher and track and field coach, urged prompt action. “There is no question that the track surface at Central High School needs help … The time to act is now,” he said, citing safety, performance and the risk that a deteriorating surface could lead to a larger, more expensive rebuild.

Board members discussed next steps and agreed to ask the superintendent and staff to begin the administrative work needed to determine whether the district can commit funds and to draft a request for proposals. Board members said staff should get legal advice about the use of district funds and the procurement rules that apply, and begin preparing an RFP so the district would be ready if it can contribute. One board member noted that statutory procurement processes require multiple bids.

Board members also discussed meeting with the community group as part of a retreat scheduled for June 20 to consider a joint approach and possible subcommittee work. The board emphasized that, while the district will work with community partners, the field is a district asset and must follow regular oversight and procurement procedures.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting included the community’s requested district partnership amount ($790,000), the GMAX testing figures presented (average ~72 on the group’s best day; some spots ~92; ideal 90–115), and the group’s claim that donations and in-kind offers reduced the project cost from an original higher estimate. Board members asked that the community flag any hard deadlines so staff can try to meet them while following required timelines.

The board did not hold a formal vote on funding at the June meeting; instead members gave staff direction to proceed with feasibility, legal review and the RFP process.

The board said it expects continuing public updates as staff and community partners develop a formal project plan and contract procurement steps.