Board approves Norpak bleacher replacement bid and funds baseball scoreboard

The Milton-Freewater Unified School District board voted to accept a state-bid proposal to replace aluminum bleachers that were destroyed, and authorized purchase of a new baseball scoreboard.

Martin Moore told the board the Norpak bleachers replacement is on the state bidding program and will cost about $46,100 including installation; "Our insurance provider is covering the, majority of that cost," he said. Moore also described a $22,007.81 purchase for a new baseball scoreboard funded partly by a $20,000 grant from the Milton-Freewater Area Foundation and district/city funds: "This is the purchase for the scoreboard for the baseball field. For $22,007.81. That remainder is gonna be picked up by us in the city." The board moved, seconded and carried the bleacher bid on a voice vote.

Why it matters: the bleachers had been destroyed in a vehicle incident and the replacement will restore seating and field operations; the scoreboard project combines foundation support with local funds to upgrade game presentation. District staff said bleacher removal and installation work will be performed by the vendor, with Craig's crew handling teardown of the old units.

Board members and attendees praised the fundraising and volunteer support that helped offset costs and discussed timing for installation; Moore said the city will help coordinate mounting the scoreboard. The motion to accept the bleacher bid and proceed with the scoreboard purchase was carried by voice vote with no further recorded opposition.

The district listed the purchase on the state bidding program and said insurance will cover most of the bleacher cost; the board did not provide a roll-call tally in the transcript. Staff said they will coordinate with the city on scoreboard installation and return with implementation details if needed.