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Principal proposes converting underused library into weight room using donated Navy equipment
Summary
Dr. Derek Lambert proposed accepting donated weight equipment from a Navy base to create an in-house weight room in the middle-school library, move athletic storage, and reconfigure locker rooms and library space; the board asked staff to return with cost estimates and logistics by upcoming meetings.
Dr. Derek Lambert, identified in the meeting as Dr. Derek Lambert, presented a plan to the board to accept donated weightlifting equipment from a Navy base and convert the underused middle-school library into a combined weight room and athletic-storage area.
"We have the opportunity to get an enormous amount of high quality weightlifting equipment that will not only benefit the student athletes but also the student body," Lambert said, outlining a plan to relocate squat racks and athletic storage, create a third locker room for events, and re-establish a smaller, updated library in a currently vacant classroom. Lambert said most equipment is free and that volunteers will handle transport and installation; he described the primary cash expense as installing a door at a window opening and buying updated library books.
Lambert addressed practical concerns during a board Q&A: he said the visiting teams currently use the girls' locker room for showers and that the proposal would allow visiting teams to use the current football locker room and move officials' needs out of a classroom. He acknowledged the library would be smaller and suggested the auditorium or other spaces could host LSIC or PTO meetings. On air quality, staff referenced installing two to three ceiling-mounted air-purifier units to mitigate locker-room odors; the board asked Lambert and staff to obtain cost estimates. The existing weight-room flooring was estimated by a staff member at about $5,000 for rubber tiles; Lambert said some short-term mitigation is possible while longer-term flooring is planned.
Lambert said the equipment offer requires a decision by the end of June because the donor would close out arrangements then. The board did not take immediate final action but directed Lambert and staff to gather cost estimates (air-purifiers, door installation, plumbing/toilet feasibility and flooring) and return at the June meetings with the estimates and implementation plan. Volunteers and athletic staff were identified to support shelving moves and book sorting.
The proposal received supportive comments from teachers and parents in public comment, who urged community involvement and highlighted Lambert's record. No formal vote to accept equipment or to change permanent facilities occurred at this meeting; follow-up is scheduled for the next regular meetings at the end of June.
