(Spirit Lake)– Saying they want more time to study the proposal and to get more detailed costs, the Spirit Lake school board Tuesday took no action on a 1.4 million dollar proposal to put in new bleachers, new track and artificial turf on the football field. Of that, the school’s share would total about 600-thousand dollars. But with fundraising and other items factored in, including a leasing arrangement, would bring the school’s share to about 250-thousand dollars.
Several coaches, student athletes and parents spoke out in favor of the project.
Others were opposed. Monica Niccum said she couldn’t understand the board considering such a proposal after having gone to the state recently to ask forgiveness on a past budgeting issue.
School board member Todd Hummel said he wants more time to think it over, adding they still have too many unanswered questions over the budget and other issues.
The board will consider the matter at its next regular meeting June 8th.
Another board member, Randy Magg, questioned whether the board will be able to get the information it needs by then. He sited additional factors related to the proposed project, including the relocation of the schoool’s maintenance facility which would be moved from near the visitors side of the field to an area near the wind turbines south of the elementary and middle schools.
Magg said the district needs to fix the facilities it already has, siting a hole in a fence in the stands that didn’t get fixed last fall. He says the district was put in a huge risk for liability as a result.
A consultant the board hired said the dilapidated bleachers are a liability issue and recommended they be closed to the public immediately. Interim Superintendent Doug Latham says the district’s insurance carrier hasn’t had a chance to inspect them yet. He says the Fire Marshal has also been contacted regarding the matter.
The board will take up the matter again at its next regular meeting June 8th. Prior to that they’ll hold a work session June 1st to prioritize upcoming maintenance projects to get a better handle on financing that would be available.
