Turf Field Compromise is Near

By Patricia A. Booker

After hearing the expert information at the Special meeting the other night, members of the community got together to find a compromise...

Not finishing my public statement at the special school board meeting about the turf field at RMS was quite possibly the best the thing that could have happened because it forced me, and many others, to hold our own meeting afterwards and share our views on a personal level. People in the audience were LISTENING and it is clear to me that members of this community are closer to realizing that a compromise and team effort is needed.

I believe this community would come together to support the addition of a turf field just not at the middle school site and not with 100% school district funds. Currently the district has roughly $3 million to fulfill the needs of the district including $1.3 for in-class room technology needs, HVAC at WES, the completion of HVAC at Ithan, class room additions and improved café and theatre at Ithan, and a renovation of the administration building, all things the school board already promised to do. In my opinion there are not enough funds to do the things promised let alone add in the expense of $634,000 to put turf at the middle school.

As noted by a top leader in the sports community after the meeting, the reality is that we should work from the greatest consensus which is: we need another artificial turf field in the School District. He had felt until Wednesday's meeting that the argument for another location was not sound because there is no site close to RMS which would have the effect of relieving Ditmar and Odorisio, but if RMS is busing teams to off-campus sites which it will have to do with or without turf, it might as well send them to RHS. The location that makes the most sense is Prevost field only because that's the location where the School Board can get the most funding from outside sources though other fields could be considered.

Most importantly, we both think a compromise can be worked out. We need to get cooler heads together and build a consensus.

Pattie Booker Radnor Candidate for School Board