Parents and trustees press board to finish Crestwood stadium as financing and inspections delay completion

The Sumpter School District board heard an emotional appeal from students, parents and former officials on June 9 to finish the long‑promised Crestwood High athletic complex, even as administrators described outstanding accessibility work and limited funds.

Student-athlete Wesley Henderson told trustees the new complex “would make a huge impact on our community” by reducing travel and giving Crestwood teams a home field. Parents and community leaders backed that message, saying delays and negative social media have undercut confidence in the project.

The administration said parts of the site are complete but that the Office of School Facilities (OSF) flagged additional items, including accessible parking pads. Operations staff and the district’s chief financial officer, Miss Shhatikica Spearman, said the project has been divided into phases because only $1.565 million of bond proceeds is currently available for Crestwood; phases three and four remain unfunded. “Right now we have 1.565 million available to spend on the Crestwood project,” Miss Spearman told the board, adding that further work depends on future bond proceeds and board direction.

Trustees pressed for clearer timelines and more direct coordination with coaches and school staff. Board members said a priority list of additional work—sidewalk repairs, platforms from the track to drive aisles and accessible‑parking adjustments—was developed after coaches and administrators reviewed the site; several trustees said those conversations should have happened before work began to avoid cost and schedule changes.

Operations staff identified the architects and engineers associated with Crestwood and nearby Maywood work (Jackson & Sims; Wood Partners; Cypress Engineering) and said contractors completed earlier phases and inspections. The district also said it had not yet been invoiced for some architectural services and that OSF’s inspection prompted the recent change requests.

Board members debated whether the district could accelerate work by temporarily using fund balance; administrators said advancing funds is possible but would require a board decision. “The project timeline is driven by available funding,” Miss Spearman said.

The board did not take a final vote on new funding during the meeting. Trustees asked staff to meet this week with Crestwood coaches and athletic staff to agree a use plan and clearer milestone dates before the fall season.