Central School Board OKs up to $1.3 million for high school turf and track work

Central School District 13J’s board of directors voted unanimously Oct. 7 to authorize Superintendent Jennifer Kubista to spend up to $1.3 million to replace the high‑school soccer/football synthetic turf and repair the running track.

The vote followed public comment from community members, parents and student athletes urging improvements to playing surfaces and field safety. The motion, moved by Steve and seconded by Don, passed 4‑0. Kubista told the board the figure reflects updated contractor estimates and the board’s decision would allow staff to proceed with procurement and design work.

The authorization covers a phased project the district described as phase 1: resurfacing the soccer/football field, installing a turf pad beneath the carpet, and repairing or replacing the track surface. Kubista summarized the line items in staff estimates: about $14,000 in general conditions, roughly $440,000 for the synthetic turf, about $165,000 for the shock‑absorbing “e‑layer” pad under the turf, and about $320,000 for the track surface. She said site work — demolition, grading and adjustments — is uncertain and could range from about $100,000 to $250,000; construction bonds and related costs add another roughly $16,000. Kubista said those estimates could put the project in the $1.1–$1.3 million range.

Community speakers emphasized safety and year‑round usability. Tana Cable, a community member and parent, said: "The facility projects are important for a lot of reasons. Number 1 is the safety." Student athletes also told the board injuries and canceled practices were driving support for turf: "With, frankly, dangerous turf right now, there's been a lot of noncontact injuries," said senior Gabe Haynes.

Athletic staff described operational limits created by the existing layout. Eli, the district’s athletic director, told the board the current track configuration and finish lines limit the district’s ability to host meets and to position spectators near race finishes. "We feel like it's a limiting factor… Having this project done would make it really an awesome facility in terms of being able to host a big time event," Eli said, describing how the current finish line sits away from the stands and complicates hosting.

Kubista said staff are pursuing a cooperative procurement agreement to speed the work rather than issuing a full public RFP that could delay start dates. She told the board she expects contractor mobilization could begin as soon as November or December, after football season, to avoid disrupting playoff games if possible. Site‑specific design input from coaches and other user groups will be solicited during final design.

The board heard that field lighting replacement was being priced as an optional bid item and is not part of the current authorization. Kubista also said a separate second phase would include the baseball and fast‑pitch softball infields and infields’ turf, pending additional cost estimates and a possible archeological review for certain ballfield sites.

Discussion/Direction: The board authorized the superintendent to expend the amount specified and directed staff to pursue cooperative procurement and to bring follow‑up cost details and any necessary contract documents back to the board as they are finalized.

Ending: With the measure approved, district staff said they will start contractor meetings, finalize scope with coaches, and proceed with the cooperative agreement route to aim for late‑fall/early‑winter construction start dates.