Residents urge second turf field and press board on construction impacts at school referendum hearing

Dozens of residents who spoke during the Regional School District 15 public hearing urged the board to consider athletic facilities and construction impacts as it advances the school-construction referendum.

Jessica Ardis, co-president of the Gainesville PTO, asked directly whether the referendum would create a single large school; officials clarified the proposal on the table is for two separate sites and not a single 'mega school.' "If this is what we're voting on that referendum, that mega school is not happening. Correct?" Ardis asked.

Several speakers asked the board to prioritize a second turf field at the district’s schools. A resident active in youth sports (speaker 11) described the need to memorialize a recently deceased coach, Chuck, and to provide more consistent practice space. "It's a great opportunity for us...to bring up a second turf over there," the resident said. Michael Solange, a Southbury resident, argued a second turf field would expand access, improve safety and reduce rentals of indoor turf space that cost parents and non-profits thousands of dollars in rainy weeks. "Second to our field, not just about sports...It's about access, safety, consistency, and opportunity," Solange said.

Other speakers focused on student health and construction staging. Michael Kaplan, a parent, asked how hazardous-material mitigation and demolition would be scheduled and whether students would face increased exposure or indoor air issues if a new building sits closer to Interstate 84. "I'm trying to get a sense for what life would be like for the students during this construction...there could be asbestos," Kaplan said.

Board members and Tekton Architects said mitigation is part of planning: hazardous materials will be abated, and major demolition and crane work will be scheduled to reduce student exposure—often during summer months—while modern building envelopes are expected to improve indoor air quality and sound isolation compared with existing mid-century school buildings.

Public commenters included teachers, coaches, veterans and parents who described the schools as a central community asset and urged the board to move the referendum forward so the district can pursue state grant funding before possible policy changes take effect. The hearing closed with no formal vote on the construction plan; the board adjourned later in the meeting.