LH football field to get artificial turf
Laurel Highlands High School is about to undergo some changes. The school board voted Wednesday to install artificial turf on the football field, construct a new road to the high school and expand the upper parking lot at the school.
Following much discussion, both at the meeting and at the work session prior, the board voted seven to one to award the lowest bid for the installation of the synthetic field to IC Improvements LLC of New Jersey.
The cost of the project is not to exceed $902,104. Two other companies submitted higher bids.
School director Bill Elias was the only person to vote against the project, saying he’s not against installing the turf but that the district can’t afford to pay for it right now.
School director Edward S. George was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, with all other directors voting yes.
“It’s not that I’m against the turf, it’s the problem of paying for it,” Elias said.
Elias said that board members were only able to balance the 2007-2008 school year budget without raising taxes by taking money from the fund balance.
Elias also said board members need to be aware contract negotiations with the teacher’s union will begin in January.
Earlier this month, the school board approved a tentative $40.4 million budget that included no tax increase.
People who own property in the district currently pay 13 mills in taxes. At that rate, district residents pay $130 for every $10,000 in assessed value. A person whose property is valued at $50,000 would pay $650 in taxes, whereas a person whose property is valued at $100,000 would pay $1,300 in taxes.
Since the board approved the tentative budget, the final budget can be lowered but cannot be raised. Included in the tentative budget is $37.4 million in expected revenue and $2.9 million from the fund balance. Expenditures for the 2007-2008 school year are estimated at $40.4 million.
During the work session, school director Jim Tobal said it was his understanding installing the turf would not raise taxes.
Dr. Ronald M. Sheba, school district superintendent, said money saved by reducing or eliminating other construction projects will pay for the turf.
Sheba said $493,000 currently budgeted for other capital improvement project can be put toward the installation of the turf.
In addition, Sheba said the district recently received a $341,146 reimbursement from the Fayette County Vocational-Technical School, bringing the total of available money for the turf up to $834,000.
However, Sheba cautioned board members they will probably have to raise taxes in the future to put money back into the fund balance and to pay for renovations at the high school.
School district business manager Greg Hensh said he would like to have $4 million to $5 million saved in the fund balance, which is about 10 percent of the yearly budget.
For installing the turf, school director Angelo Giachetti said the field is in bad shape and needs to be fixed before students who use it or hurt, noting that the uneven ground lends itself to twisted ankles, sprains and torn ligaments.
“Someone can get hurt on that muddy field as easy as walking down the street,” he said.
In addition, Giachetti said more than half the student body will benefit by the turf, not just the football team, noting that the track team, soccer teams and marching band also use the field.
“It’s for everyone and I think it’s well overdue,” he said.
School director Mary Conway echoed Giachetti’s statements, saying it’s a “dirty, rotten shame” students are forced to play on and use the field in its current state of disrepair.
As for other business, the school board unanimously agreed eight to zero to construct a new road to the high school and expand the upper parking lot.
John Over of K-2 Engineering of Uniontown said the new 250-foot entrance will be off Bailey Avenue in the area of Gallatin Avenue, reducing congestion at the school. The school currently only has one entrance and exit.
In addition, Over said the upper parking lot, referred to as the “senior lot,” will be expanded from 132 spaces to 189 spaces.
Over said the expanded lot should accommodate all student drivers and should eliminate the need for students to park in the lower lot.
Sheba said the new road and expanded parking lot will increase the safety of students. The school district will advertise for bids in regards to both projects.