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Board approves $3.48 million in elementary playground work after debate over facilities study
Summary
Trustees approved multiple contracts totaling roughly $3.48 million from the 2020 bond for playground equipment and site work at six elementary schools; one board member opposed, urging a facilities-utilization study before committing funds.
The Waterford School Board voted to award contracts and purchase playground equipment for six elementary schools using 2020 bond funds after a lengthy discussion about enrollment trends and whether the district should complete a facilities-utilization study before making further site investments.
Treasurer Donahue presented Superintendent's recommendation 49-24-25, outlining awards to Michigan Recreational Construction Inc. and Jacqueline Contracting LLC for site work and installations and a GameTime equipment purchase. The board packet listed two bid packages: for Cooley and Haviland (installation $356,800; site work $449,000; total $805,800) and for Schoolcraft, Riverside and Knudson (installation $495,650; site work $649,000; total $1,144,650). The equipment purchases through GameTime were listed at $1,528,200. Funding for the projects is from the 2020 bond.
Member Patricia opposed the motion and said the district has not completed a facilities-utilization study and that several buildings have underused capacity. "Without that study to tell me what we should or shouldn't be doing, we're talking about millions of dollars here going into a building that might not be there in a few years," Patricia said. She asked for an independent outside study to guide long-term capital decisions and highlighted recent closures the district has made in prior years.
Other trustees said the playground work is part of the bond promises made to voters in 2020 and that the equipment can be relocated if future consolidation were required. Member Resich asked for details about what the site work includes; district staff said it covers site demolition, drainage tile, removal of pea gravel, temporary fencing and installation prep, while installers will provide engineered wood fiber and reinspection after relocation.
After debate, the board approved the recommendation by a recorded vote of six in favor, one opposed.
Ending
Board members asked administrators to place a facilities-utilization study on a calendar meeting agenda for board discussion even as the district proceeds with the playground contracts to meet construction schedules for the coming summer.
