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Board approves Boonsboro boosters’ athletic‑facility memorandum of agreement over turf objections, 4–2
Summary
The board voted 4–2 to approve a memorandum of agreement with the Boonsboro Athletic Boosters to fund athletic‑facility upgrades — including installation of artificial turf — after members debated safety, lifecycle costs, and booster funding commitments.
The Washington County Board of Education voted 4–2 on Nov. 18 to approve a memorandum of agreement with the Boonsboro Athletic Boosters that funds improvements to Boonsboro High School’s athletic facilities, including a new press box, batting cage, relocated baseball field, and artificial turf in the football stadium.
Staff described the agreement as a public‑private partnership in which the booster club will fund the initial turf installation and provide seed funds toward future replacement. Under the contract terms described to the board, boosters must have funds in hand before construction bids are awarded; half of the first turf‑replacement cost is due at bid day, with the remaining half payable in equal installments during the first five years so that the board’s anticipated obligation for replacement would not fall due for roughly two decades.
Several board members opposed the project because of safety and lifecycle concerns. One board member cited a February NFL Players Association statement and summarized industry data, saying, "Artificial turf is significantly harder on the bodies than grass," and noted studies showing higher rates of non‑contact lower extremity injuries on turf. Another board member said fiscal fairness and long‑term replacement costs for a single high school could set difficult precedents for other schools.
Supporters pointed to marching‑band and multiuse benefits and the fact that boosters would pay initial costs and provide funding toward a later replacement. Staff noted the district already has two turf fields (at North Hagerstown and Smithsburg High Schools) and said previous public‑private agreements included booster contributions and partial seed funding for replacements.
After discussion the motion to approve the MOA carried 4–2 (student member concurred). Board members opposing the measure said they were concerned about athlete safety and long‑term fiscal pressure; supporters said the initial donor funding and booster commitments make the project feasible.
The MOA requires booster fundraising and specifies payment terms for future replacement; the board directed staff to enforce the funding milestones before contract execution.
