Coleman‑Egan board approves distribution of athletic-complex survey after $4–5 million estimate

The Coleman‑Egan School District board approved sending a community survey on a proposed athletic complex after consultants provided a preliminary cost estimate of $4 million to $5 million. Board members emphasized the figure is conceptual and depends heavily on donated labor and in‑kind contributions; the consultant's materials note the district would "utilize up to 3,500,000 in capital allocation certificates to complete the project."

Board members resolved to use the same outreach methods from the prior bond effort (mailings, QR code and school website) and set a response window ending Oct. 9, with the district planning to distribute the survey starting Sept. 22. Trustees debated what level of resident support would justify advancing the project: one member said she would want to see greater than a simple majority, suggesting 60% support, while others said the board should review the returned numbers before setting a firm threshold.

The presentation described the concept as a track and football field and included line items for restrooms, concessions and grandstand elements; the consultant cautioned that a significant portion of the estimate is labor. Board members asked administration to label the drawing "concept only" and to collect public comments on price sensitivity in the survey. The board directed staff to send the survey out following minor edits and to report results at the next meeting.