Board permits community baseball/softball association to replace field fencing; bleacher replacements discussed

The Cleveland Public School District board on May 18 approved a request from the Baseball/Softball Association to replace most field fencing at the district athletic complex. Association representatives said they raised funds, including a $12,000 grant from the Smith Foundation, and plan to complete the softball-field work this year and complete the baseball field later when additional fundraising is secured.

The association representative described the plan: remove and replace most fencing while retaining dugouts and some outfield fence where concrete posts exist; estimated total project costs discussed in the meeting were roughly $27,000–$28,000. The association said it had multiple contractor quotes and would manage demolition and installation through its fundraising.

A motion to permit the work as proposed passed; the association and board clarified that no district general-fund dollars would be used for the project. The board also reviewed multiple bleacher replacement quotes (various lengths and row counts) and discussed capacity needs for assemblies and athletic events; members suggested exploring booster-club donations and prioritizing which rows to replace first, noting installation would likely occur this fall.

What happens next: the Baseball/Softball Association may proceed with fencing replacement; the district will coordinate logistics (inspections, multiple quotes) and athletic/booster groups will vet funding options for potential bleacher improvements before final board action.