Retired principal and others tell board the community will back a well‑designed sports complex

Terry Stalkin, a retired principal and activities director, told the board he supports building a sports complex and urged the district to continue planning so a complete proposal can be presented to the community. Stalkin said the facility would benefit K–12 programs and that mechanical features such as artificial turf and updated bathrooms would broaden support beyond just football fans.

"If you're staying under the magic 1.5 percent and you do this next project and you're off by 33% and that puts you over the 1.5 percent, does that mean you have to stop and then you have to let us vote?" Stalkin asked rhetorically, adding that the community would support "a good plan," even if costs exceed informal thresholds. He also suggested city‑owned land south of the Coleman Building Center as an alternative site and encouraged the board to consider it.

Bob Maguire and others said they would not stand in the way of a complex but called for more thorough surveys and direct outreach before construction to avoid community division. "Nothing has been presented to anybody except that you purchased this land," Maguire said, urging the board to solicit broader input so the project is a point of pride rather than a source of animosity.

The meeting recorded no formal board action to expand the project design at this time; supporters and opponents agreed that greater clarity and a complete plan would help the community decide.