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Board approves STARS Foundation MOU to resurface tennis courts; payment schedule and timeline set
Summary
The board approved an MOU with the STARS Foundation to resurface existing tennis courts via an asphalt overlay; the funding schedule is 50% upfront, 40% after asphalt, and 10% on completion, with groundbreaking set for late May and completion targeted by the end of August.
The Stevensville School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the STARS Foundation to refurbish and resurface the district's existing tennis courts, using an asphalt overlay to reduce cost and accelerate timing.
Superintendent (speaker 4) described a project approach recommended by consultant Kirk Payton that uses the current court base and applies asphalt and new surfacing, which substantially lowers the expected cost compared with full reconstruction. The STARS Foundation will fund the work and hold the funds; the MOU outlines a staged payment schedule: 50% upfront, 40% after the asphalt is laid, and 10% at project completion. The board was told the foundation has verified funds on deposit and that the first payment will be sent this week.
The administration presented a project timeline: contract drafting and legal vetting to follow immediately, contractor mobilization at the end of May (coinciding with state tennis tournaments), and anticipated completion within the first weeks of August, weather permitting. The board discussed pickleball line options, potential MHSA (Montana High School Association) tournament implications if multiple line sets are placed, and whether pickleball lines would be removable; the MOU and contract will focus on tennis surfacing and return to the board for approval of contract terms.
Trustees asked about risk and oversight: the MOU commits the foundation to pay in staged amounts and requires board review/votes at project stages. Administration said an escrow arrangement that places funds outside the foundation would trigger a more formal RFP process, so the plan keeps funds with the foundation while preserving board oversight through staged approvals. The board voted to approve the MOU and to authorize the timeline and tasks outlined in the packet.
