Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Students and parents tell Valley Central board fields are unsafe; district says it will address rocks before next game
Summary
Varsity lacrosse captains and parents told the board the athletic field is covered in gravel that has caused injuries and forced practices or games off site; the board and administration said they would have staff address the gravel and provide an update.
Two varsity lacrosse captains and multiple parents told the Valley Central School District board at its March 23 meeting that stadium and practice fields are unsafe because of gravel and debris, and they urged immediate repair to prevent injuries and canceled home games.
Cooper Sherry, identified himself as a varsity lacrosse captain, said students had been "told multiple times that our field conditions are gonna improve, and we haven't seen that yet," and described pebbles and rocks causing cuts and scrapes during routine play. "I'm always dropping to the ground and there's, like, pebbles and rocks on our field," he said.
Ryan Lewis, also a varsity captain, said the gravel and uneven surface had forced early practices indoors and altered drills: "The gravel on the field and the condition on the field neglects the ability to be able to do that thing," he said, describing how coaches had to change drills and players had less realistic practice time.
Parent Anthony Quaglieri told the board that at least one girls varsity lacrosse playoff opportunity had been moved out of the district because of field conditions and urged immediate action, estimating roughly 100 district students use the field for practices and games and warning of "200 chances of serious injury" when visiting teams are included.
Board members acknowledged the concerns. A board member asked for someone to "get somebody out there to rake those rocks up" and another said the district would have staff address the issue before Wednesday's scheduled game. The board also reminded speakers that district policy prohibits public comment about specific employees or students by name and directed residents with personnel issues to email the board.
No formal motion to allocate capital funds for field replacement was made during the meeting; however, the athletic‑field condition was discussed during the facilities and budget presentations and was raised again during public comment. Assistant Superintendent for Business Brad Conklin told the board earlier in the meeting that Cornell turfgrass specialists are advising on field restoration, and that aeration, overseeding and planned fertilizer applications are scheduled pending weather.
Next steps: board members asked maintenance staff to address immediate safety hazards and the administration said it will report back; any larger capital or turf replacement plan would be considered through the district’s capital planning and budgeting process.
