Trustee and teachers press district for more data on turf planned for TK/K playground

Trustees and staff agreed to pause a final decision on synthetic turf for the Auburn Elementary TK/K playground after trustees and teachers raised concerns about heat, microplastics and chemicals used in some artificial-surface systems.

Trustee Travis said she researched recent studies and was alarmed by health risks she associated with turf infill made from recycled tires, citing "PFAs, microplastics, endocrine disruptors" and saying the surface can get "120 degrees or more in the sun." Jeremy McReynolds, the district's chief business official, said the product under consideration uses sand infill and that the manufacturer's safety data sheet for the SGW product states it is "PFAS free, lead free" and meets industry standards; he offered to share the MSDS and to arrange site visits to Sky Ridge, where a similar surface is installed.

Staff emphasized that the EVCaine relocation project leaves limited installation options at the intended Evie Kane site and that mulch had proven unstable for very young children; they also presented rubber-surface and mulch as alternatives and said installation would occur in July if approved. The board asked staff to provide additional documentation and to offer teachers and trustees the opportunity to review the installed surface at Sky Ridge before returning with a recommendation.

"If it's the board's desire to hold off and do more research, you know, I think that would be a good route to go," McReynolds said. The board agreed to receive MSDS and manufacturer data by email and to revisit the item at a future meeting.