Taylor School District breaks ground on redesigned Taylor High athletic fields

Interim Superintendent of the Taylor School District opened a ceremonial groundbreaking at Taylor High School on the evening of the event, thanking the Taylor High School marching band and introducing district leaders, elected officials and project partners as she framed the work as “a huge step in the right direction for our students and for our community.”

The superintendent, who said she returned to the district in August 2023 to serve as interim superintendent in part to lead the district through its first bond program in more than 50 years, told the audience the district discovered that the bond program was "woefully short" of funds and could not deliver a brand-new high school as originally promised. "We weren't going to be able to build a new high school for them," she said, adding that she sought help from elected officials and others to find solutions.

District and board leaders presented the athletic-fields project as a near-term, deliverable improvement: upgraded tennis courts, home baseball and softball facilities, a playable surface to replace the district's last natural-grass field, and capacity to host marching-band competitions and MHSA playoff events. "This is a big step to delivering our students the facilities that they deserve," the superintendent said, calling the work a first stage of a redesigned Taylor High School intended to provide a safe, secure environment that supports academics and extracurriculars.

Linda Moore, identified in the program as the school board president, said the project "is especially meaningful because we're breaking ground on more than a field. We're breaking ground on a place where young people will learn discipline, teamwork, resilience, and pride." Moore framed the fields as community assets that will host events and build school spirit over generations.

Chris Simons, introduced earlier in the program as Taylor School's athletic director, told attendees the facilities have a primary role in student safety and opportunity: "Our goal is to create a secure, structured environment where our students can train and compete at a high level," he said, adding that better facilities help keep students in the district and attract events that benefit the community.

Project partners named during the program included The Collaborative (architects), Barton Malow (owners representative/construction manager for the high-school project), and Saxi (construction manager for athletic work). Organizers called forward honorary shovel bearers — representatives and alumni of the district and current student-athletes — for a ceremonial "air shoveling" to mark the start of work. Attendees were invited to take photos and enjoy refreshments provided by the district career center.

The superintendent and board repeatedly thanked the voters who approved the bond measure, while noting funding shortfalls prevented construction of the originally promised new high school. No dollar figures or final construction schedule were provided at the ceremony; the superintendent said the district will continue work to redesign and deliver improved facilities for students and families.

The program concluded with the ceremonial shovel moment, photo opportunities and a reception.