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Parents seek $875K–$1.2M in partnership with district to replace worn turf and improve safety
Summary
A group of parents asked the Central SD 13J board to partner on replacing turf on multiple fields, presenting contractor quotes, local in-kind commitments and recommended use of excise-tax and capital-improvement funds to avoid tapping the general fund.
A group of parents and volunteers asked the Central School District 13J board to partner on replacing worn athletic turf and resurfacing the track at Central High School.
Shannon Ball, representing parents, coaches and community members, said the group had solicited two contractor quotes and estimated the total cost to complete four projects (football/soccer field, baseball and softball fields and track) at between $875,000 and $1.2 million. "The total price to complete all 4 projects ranges from 875,000 to $1,200,000 depending on which company is chosen," she told the board and noted local excavation and rock companies had already pledged donated services.
Ball proposed the district authorize use of excise-tax revenue and the capital improvement fund rather than the general fund, noting the excise-tax estimate for 2023–24 was about $300,000 and the capital improvement fund had over $1.6 million available.
Drew Baker, another parent and local business owner, emphasized safety and liability risks from damaged turf fields and urged the board to act before an injury or facility closure. Baker said upgrades would reduce the risk of injury, the likelihood of forced facility closures and the downstream costs of lost home events and extra travel.
Parent and volunteer Ryan Nack provided operational context, including volunteer hours and weather impacts: he said 21% of home baseball games were moved to away games in 2022 and 28% in 2023 because fields were not playable. He argued turf would reduce maintenance hours, improve drainage issues and preserve instructional time now lost when students miss class for away games.
Board members thanked the group for the proposal and said they would consider next steps, including discussion in an upcoming PLC or committee meeting to explore capital-funding options. No formal board funding decision was made at the meeting; parents asked the board to meet with them and district staff to develop a financing plan.
