California Area High School teamsto use Booster Field next season
CALIFORNIA – The California Area High School football team will continue to play its games at Booster Field next season, even though the district’s insurance agent said improvements are needed to the bleachers. The insurance company granted the district permission to continue to use the field for at least one more year, as long as it is in the process of correcting the problems and offers alternative seating for families with young children. The current bleachers do not have enclosed backs and could pose a safety hazard to young children.
The district had looked into the possibility of using California University’s Adamson Stadium. Superintendent Dr. Marian Stephens said it would have cost the district $2,000 a game to use the stadium, though the cost would have been offset by half of the proceeds from parking and concessions.
The agreement with the university was removed from the agenda after Stephens told the board that the insurance company would permit games to be held at Booster Field.
The board is also looking into the possibility of hiring a consultant to prepare a feasibility study for a new stadium. The study would most likely be completed over the summer and if a new stadium is built, it would be done via a bond issue, so it could be financed over a number of years, instead of being included in the general operating budget.
The board also voted to install chain-link fencing along the baseball field dugouts at a cost of $1,315. The item had not been budgeted. One parent argued against the fencing, saying alertness is part of the game and that the fencing would detract from the game. Another parent argued for it, saying it is necessary for the safety of the players, since teens aren’t always attentive.
The board tabled action on the awarding of bids for supplies for the 2003-04 school year, since the budget for next year is still in the planning stages.
“Ninety percent of our budget is fixed. This is the only area of the budget where we can make cuts. If we pass this right now, we don’t have any wiggle room,” said director George Safin.
The board also voted to lay off one teacher due to a decline in enrollment. Another teacher was dismissed for an undisclosed reason.
After voicing concerns about privacy, the board voted against entering into an agreement with the state Department of Revenue to provide the Pennsylvania Municipal Service Co. with the 2001 income-tax listing. Pennsylvania Municipal Services collects delinquent wage taxes for the school district. Director John Bayer said he had concerns about turning over a tax list, complete with Social Security numbers, to a private company.
“There has to be some guarantee of privacy from this company,” Bayer said.
The board also voted down a tentative agreement with the Service Employees International Union, Local 585. The agreement would have covered the 2001-02 school year through the 2005-06 school year. The union has been working without a contract for nearly two years.
The search is continuing for a new superintendent to replace Dr. Stephens, who is leaving at the end of the year. Several candidates had been interviewed without success. The board voted to re-advertise the position.