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Parent presenter documents unsafe, unequal conditions at West Scranton; administration pledges review
Summary
A parent presenter showed photos and described unsafe conditions at West Scranton athletic facilities, citing a 20-yard dip in the practice field, broken glass, inoperable showers and damaged weight-room equipment. Operations staff committed to meet the presenter and to evaluate safety and abatement needs including auditorium work estimated up to $1M.
A parent and community member, Brian Ruan, presented a comparative review of athletic and support facilities at West Scranton High School versus Scranton High, arguing the differences represent an equity problem that affects student safety and access.
Ruan described a practice field with a 20-yard dip that limits usable space, broken glass and debris on practice areas, inoperable showers and aging, damaged weight-room equipment. He said one student suffered an ankle sprain on a field divot and reported a separate incident in which a live electrical wire fell from the weight-room ceiling during a workout session last spring. Ruan provided photos and asked the board to request a district-led comparative study and to prioritize repairs.
District operations confirmed a timely follow-up. Director of Operations (Mister Rucker) said staff would meet with the presenter immediately and noted the auditorium and stage at West Scranton require substantial removal of ceiling materials and rigging abatement. Rucker provided a preliminary contractor figure of roughly $25,100 to remove compromised ceiling fixtures and advised a full rebuild could reach $600,000 to $1,000,000 depending on abatement and damage to structural elements.
Superintendent Dr. Keating acknowledged the presentation, said the condition reports would be investigated and that she would ensure central administration and principals work together on remediation plans. Several directors urged an action plan: form a facilities priority list (athletics, safety, and instructional needs), investigate low-cost options (state surplus for lockers/equipment), and pursue grants and community fundraising.
What's next: Operations will evaluate stage and auditorium safety, meet the presenter, and bring back an assessment and recommended priority list and cost estimates. The committee and several directors suggested forming an ongoing facilities task group to avoid one-off public complaints becoming forgotten.
Representative direct quote: "What we're looking for is basically just an even equitable shape in Westside so that everybody's the same across the board."
